DERGAON, Aug 30 – The alarming increase of stray rhinos at Kaziranga National Park(KNP) has created concern in the area. According to sources, the cases of stray rhinos have been increasing day by day. Significantly this time the rhinos have come out to the chapari areas during flood. As a result, poachers have intensified their activities in the areas. Very recently three rhinos came out from the park and sheltering at Kameri chapari under Numaligarh Forest Beat. Later a rhino was killed by poacher and the horn was taken away.

According to sources the Numaligarh Forest Beat was informed about the presence of the poachers but it did not pay attention to the matter.

On the other hand the Numaligarh Beat and Dergaon Beat are at loggerheats over their territory of operation.

An allegation has been made by the public of the periphery of both the Beats that the Numaligarh Beat generally ignores the risk in the areas of their own only by saying that area is under Dergaon. As a result sometimes the poachers get an opportunity to carry out their acts. So the public urged the authority concerned to give a clear cut demarcation between the Beats.

Similarly the utter negligence of the camp at Bonkual creates problem in tackling the stray rhinos, as alleged.

Talking to this correspondent, SN Borgohain, the Director of KNP told that due to the scarcity of food and highland the rhinos go out the park. But the forest personnel of any Beat must guard the rhino without considering their actual field of duty. In this regard the wild life personnel should be helped by the territorial personnels.

The wildlife warden Uttam Saikia, opined that the forest personnel should be trained up and they should also be intensified by sophisticated arms to combat the poachers. He also urged the authority to conduct a systematic study on stray rhinos of KNP as early as possible.

Recently, a mobile squad for stray rhinos and anti-poaching has been formed to help the wild life team of KNP. The squad consisted of the Range Officer of Golaghat, Beat Officer Numaligarh and Dergaon with two of their staff. This was followed by the meeting of the DFO Golaghat with the Director of KNP on August19. But after visiting the areas of the chapori this correspondent learnt that the forest personnel must be equipped with arms,wireless sets,motor cycles etc. Besides, sufficient in the area will have to be set up.