The Centre said it will raise a 'special rhino protection force' and form a task force in Assam. "We will show zero tolerance for rhino poaching. And that's the reason why we have decided on creating a special rhino protection force," said Union forest and Environment minister Prakash Javadekar on Saturday against the backdrop of the spurt in the killings of the animal in the state, especially in the Kaziranga National Park.
"The Centre, state Government and other stakeholders will work together to stop poaching. In the next six months, we'll evaluate the work," he said.
During his two-day visit to the state, the minister held meetings with Animal rights activists, groups and organisations and paid a visit to Kaziranga.
"The special rhino protection force will consist of youth who are from the surrounding villages of Kaziranga. They have fair knowledge about the park. We want the locals to participate in our efforts to prevent poaching," said Javadekar.
He asked the state government to be more active saying it was the responsibility of the state government to prevent poaching.
"If there is any encroachment of land in the jungle protection areas, we would want the state government to take action," Javadekar said.
Groups and organisations in Assam claimed that large tracts of land in Kaziranga had been encroached upon by the illegal Bangladeshi settlers. Javadekar on Friday had said illegal immigration and encroachment of land in Kaziranga were issues of serious concerns.
"We believe in development with protection of environment. They should go side by side. We cannot have development without the environment," he said.
As many as 193 rhinos have been killed by poachers in Kaziranga since 2001. The figure stands at 22 this year.
The animal is killed for its horn, considered an aphrodisiac for both men and women. A rhino horn is sold at Rs1 crore in the international black market.
