Kaziranga is home to the largest rhino population in the world.
Guwahati:
Home to some 2,600 highly endangered and most endangered inhabitants of Assam, Assam’s Kaziranga National Park has long been a target of poachers looking to profit from the trade. illegal sale of rhino horn. But in the past two years, poaching in the park has dropped dramatically thanks to a combination of commandos, high-tech equipment, and canine units.
A task force, consisting of members of the Assam police and the forestry ministry, deserves a lot of credit. These commandos, trained like the National Security Guard or NSG and specialists in counterinsurgency operations in the state, are responsible for the security of the park’s fringe areas and carry out attacks on known poachers’ launchers. They even go to other states to catch poachers on the run.
“Last year alone, we cracked the entire poaching network,” said Dhrubajyoti Nath, a senior officer in the Kaziranga Task Force. “Last year alone, we arrested 58 rhino horn poachers, and four were neutralized… not just us, but together as a task force. In special forces. duties, we conduct joint operations and investigations.”
The results spoke for themselves: in 2021, only two rhinos were poached, and in 2022, none. This marks the first time since 1977 that no rhinos have been poached in the park. This contrasts with the killing of about 190 rhinos between 2000 and 2021 by highly armed poachers originating from smaller terrorist groups.
However, the fight against poachers is still ongoing, as the illegal rhino horn trade remains a profitable business in East Asia, where rhino horn is hunted for use. in traditional medicine and jewelry. Jukti Bora, a ranger working in the Burapahar range of Kaziranga, said: “At the time, our coordination with the police to catch poachers was very bad. “We don’t have sophisticated weapons or enough manpower. Now, with modern weapons, we have the force and technology to protect the special Rhino, and the deadly commandos.”
The game changer in the fight against poachers is the use of technology. Electronic eyes, thermal sensors, photo traps, and night vision cameras are strategically placed throughout the park, while tachometers and high-resolution cameras monitor the highway at the park’s periphery. Drone monitoring and satellite phones for the forest rangers also play a key role, with all data fed into the task force’s command center. Rapid response teams are always on standby to respond to any technical tips. The famous Belgian Malinois dog unit was also a big help.
The World Life Trust of India (WTI) has also worked in Kaziranga for decades to raise awareness about the problem of poaching and the illegal wildlife trade. Dr Samsul Ali, project leader, said: “We at WTI have also tried to make the locals aware of the problem but the huge amount involved in wildlife markets and poaching. rhinos are illegal, so some locals are also involved because they find it lucrative.” WTI at Kaziranga.
Today, Kaziranga is home to the largest rhino population in the world. Thanks to the efforts of the task force, these rhinos can now live in a safer environment and roam the park’s elephant grasslands, swamps and jungles more safely than ever before. .
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