Kaziranga is set to become the first national park in the country to be manned by guards armed with AK series of weapons. The State Government has moved the Centre for the purpose, and expects it to materialise soon.
Addressing a press conference, State Environment and Forest Minister Rockybul Hussain today said that the move was in consonance with the Government’s ‘Intensification of management and restructuring of Kaziranga National Park’ plan.
“With threats to Kaziranga mounting in recent times, it is imperative to have a matching response mechanism – both in terms of security and management. We have taken up the matter of arming our guards with AK-46 and AK-57 rifles and ammunition with the Union Home Ministry, and are expecting a favourable response. This will make Kaziranga the country’s first protected forest to have such a security set-up,” Hussain said.
Kaziranga has witnessed a spurt in rhino poaching since last year, with the trend continuing unabated this year too. It has lost eight rhinos in about a month’s time this year – some of which were gunned down by AK-series rifles.
The restructuring plan will also involve creation of three new divisions, taking the number of divisions to four – i.e., KNP East Zone (Burhapahar-Bagori), KNK North Zone (North Bank-Biswanath Ghat), KNP East (Kohora-Agoratoli), and the Eco Development Zone comprising eco-development committees.
“In addition to this, the Central Assam Afforestation Division of Hojai, the Logging Division of Tinsukia, and the Forest Resource and Survey Division of Guwahati will be shifted to Kaziranga. All this should materialize within a month for which a high-level committee headed by the Principal Secretary, Forest, has been formed,” Hussain said.
Kaziranga will also witness induction of more manpower in the days ahead. With the creation of new divisions and shifting of existing divisions from elsewhere, manpower will increase, the minister said, adding that 200 Homeguards and another 200, mostly frontline personnel, are set to boost the Park’s security arrangements.
When asked about the much-talked-about ‘political conspiracy’ theory behind the spurt in poaching, Hussain said that the State Government was calling for a CBI probe and that would clear up the matter.
PTI adds: The State Government is taking all steps and shoot-at-sight orders could be considered in the Kaziranga National Park to deal with poaching, the Forest Minister said. “Some of the demands made recently by the All Assam Students’ Union are sound ones, including deployment of army and shoot-at-sight,” he told reporters.
Hussain said installation of high-power electronic eye cameras in the KNP to catch the movement of doubtful persons inside the Park and prevent poaching is likely to be fully implemented within a year or two.
“We want the National Tiger Conservation Authority to take the full responsibility for the project,” the minister said, adding that a team of officials from the Corbett National Park have already visited KNP for a ground level study.
Addressing a press conference, State Environment and Forest Minister Rockybul Hussain today said that the move was in consonance with the Government’s ‘Intensification of management and restructuring of Kaziranga National Park’ plan.
“With threats to Kaziranga mounting in recent times, it is imperative to have a matching response mechanism – both in terms of security and management. We have taken up the matter of arming our guards with AK-46 and AK-57 rifles and ammunition with the Union Home Ministry, and are expecting a favourable response. This will make Kaziranga the country’s first protected forest to have such a security set-up,” Hussain said.
Kaziranga has witnessed a spurt in rhino poaching since last year, with the trend continuing unabated this year too. It has lost eight rhinos in about a month’s time this year – some of which were gunned down by AK-series rifles.
The restructuring plan will also involve creation of three new divisions, taking the number of divisions to four – i.e., KNP East Zone (Burhapahar-Bagori), KNK North Zone (North Bank-Biswanath Ghat), KNP East (Kohora-Agoratoli), and the Eco Development Zone comprising eco-development committees.
“In addition to this, the Central Assam Afforestation Division of Hojai, the Logging Division of Tinsukia, and the Forest Resource and Survey Division of Guwahati will be shifted to Kaziranga. All this should materialize within a month for which a high-level committee headed by the Principal Secretary, Forest, has been formed,” Hussain said.
Kaziranga will also witness induction of more manpower in the days ahead. With the creation of new divisions and shifting of existing divisions from elsewhere, manpower will increase, the minister said, adding that 200 Homeguards and another 200, mostly frontline personnel, are set to boost the Park’s security arrangements.
When asked about the much-talked-about ‘political conspiracy’ theory behind the spurt in poaching, Hussain said that the State Government was calling for a CBI probe and that would clear up the matter.
PTI adds: The State Government is taking all steps and shoot-at-sight orders could be considered in the Kaziranga National Park to deal with poaching, the Forest Minister said. “Some of the demands made recently by the All Assam Students’ Union are sound ones, including deployment of army and shoot-at-sight,” he told reporters.
Hussain said installation of high-power electronic eye cameras in the KNP to catch the movement of doubtful persons inside the Park and prevent poaching is likely to be fully implemented within a year or two.
“We want the National Tiger Conservation Authority to take the full responsibility for the project,” the minister said, adding that a team of officials from the Corbett National Park have already visited KNP for a ground level study.
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