193 one horned rhinos poached in Assam since 2001

Replying to a query raised by Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) MLA Keshab Mahanta, Assam Forest and Environment Department informed to the Assembly that since 2001 to Aug 3, 2014, a total of 193 rhinos were poached in the state.

Poachers killed a total of 126 rhinos in Kaziranga National Park (KNP), 7 in Manas National Park, 31 in Orang National park, 14 in Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary and 15 in other divisions under the state forest department during the period.

“I am very shocked that poachers killed 193 one horned rhinos in the state during the period after received the data from forest department,” AGP MLA Keshab Mahanta said.

“In KNP, poachers killed 8 rhinos in 2001, 4 in 2002, 3 in 2003, 4 in 2004, 7 in 2005, 5 in 2006, 16 in 2007, 6 in 2008, 6 in 2009, 5 in 2010, 3 in 2011, 11 in 2012, 27 in 2013 and 21 upto 3rd August in this year so far,” Mahanta said.

Apart from Kaziranga, poachers killed 1 rhino each in 2011 and 2012 and 5 in 2013 in Manas National Park.

In the state, poachers killed 9 rhinos in 2001, 5 in 2002, 6 in 2003, 5 in 2004, 12 in 2005, 9 in 2006, 19 in 2007, 12 in 2008, 14 in 2009, 8 in 2010, 9 in 2011, 22 in 2012, 41 in 2013 and 22 in this year so far.

The recent report of state forest department said that, population of one-horned rhinoceros has grown by nearly 27 per cent to 2,544 in Assam.

(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)