Assam sets up panel on rhino horn trimming

The Asian Age , Friday, March 21, 2014
Correspondent :

The Assam government has set up a committee to ascertain the feasibility of the trimming horns of translocated and stray rhinoceros in the state.

The committee has invited opinion from environmentalists and activists on the pros and cons of trimming of horns as an experimental measure to help save translocated rhinos in Assam and for the rhino population that has strayed out of sanctuaries, including Kaziranga National Park, Pobitora Wild Life Sanctuary and Manas National Park.

The principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife) and chief wildlife warden have issued an official notification asking for comments which must reach the forest department before March 30.

But already prominent environment activist groups such as Nature’s Beckon have opposed this move, saying trimming of horns would affect the biological growth of the animal as the risk from poachers would continue.

“The horn is a part of a rhino’s biological growth. With its help, they select mates for breeding. So removing the horn will be detrimental to the rhino population,” said Soumyadeep Datta, director of Nature’s Beckon.

Rhinos also use their horns for several behavioural functions, like defending territory, protecting calves from other rhinos and predators, maternal care, digging for water and breaking branches.

But the problem is that the horn fetches a huge price in the international market and poachers in Assam have switched over to using AK-47 assault rifles to gun down these rhinos.

Poaching operations are being run by crime syndicates operating out of Nagaland. The Assamese police are unwilling to pursue poachers into Nagaland and the result is that the use of sophisticated electronic gadgetry and weapons have given them a free run of the state.

India lost over 50 rhinos in 2013 and the population of the species is down to a little over 2,000. A senior forest official said, “Poachers are being paid money up-front. They hire AK-47 rifles for two to three days and then, using their local contacts, enter the forest areas to undertake a quick operation.”

Forest guards, by contrast, are using outdated equipment to fight these syndicates.

 
SOURCE : http://www.asianage.com/india/assam-sets-panel-rhino-horn-trimming-213
 


Back to pevious page



The NetworkAbout Us  |  Our Partners  |  Concepts   
Resources :  Databases  |  Publications  |  Media Guide  |  Suggested Links
Happenings :  News  |  Events  |  Opinion Polls  |  Case Studies
Contact :  Guest Book  |  FAQs |  Email Us