DERGAON, Dec 18 – The rampant poaching of rhinos at World Heritage Site Kaziranga National Park (KNP) has created a sensation among the nature lovers of the State. With the killing of a female rhino on December 16, the number of rhinos killed by poachers at KNP this year has gone up to 20. Among them, 14 were killed inside the park and four outside.
The carcass of the female rhino killed by poachers on December 16 at Sildubi field of Salmara No.1 under Kohara forest range, was recovered by forest workers with bullet injuries on the head, barely half a km from Kohara range. The poachers took away the horn and the nails of the hind legs. The calf of the female rhino managed to escape. The forest presonnel recovered a blank cartidge of 303 riffle from the spot.
According to the residents of the nearby areas 50 metres from the spot, no sound of the bullet was heard. From this it can be ascutaimed that the poachers might have used a rifle with silenceer. On the other hand, a poacher was killed in an encounter with forest party on December 14. The victim was later identified as a ascertained person from Luthang community of Nagaland. In that incident, the poacher killed a rhino at Bagori range on December 14.
When contacted, the director of Kaziranga National Park SN Buragohain said that the poachers with sophisticated arms have been continuing their activities in the park. With the limited staff and facilities the forest personnels have to face a serious situation. Regarding the strength of the intelligence of the department, the director opined that due to the minimum inception the intelligence personnels might have neglected their task.
