GUWAHATI: Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar today said for protection of animals in the Kaziranga National Park in Assam and to resolve man-animal conflict, Rhino protection force vacancies have to be urgently filled up by the state government.
"A large number of vacancies are there in the Rhino Protection Force. Local youths will be recruited. The state government has to fill up the vacancies, but was not done. I have written two letters to (Chief Minister) Tarun Gogoi," Javadekar told reporters here.
"We will release the funds already sanctioned. The 14th Finance Commission has increased the weightage up to 7.5 per cent of the funds for forest protection," he said.
On poaching of rhinos in KNP, he said, "Illegal trade (of rhino horn) has to be stopped. There is an anti-poaching drive. Though 24 rhinos were poached and killed, 24 poachers were also killed."
On man-animal conflict, Javadekar said there would be special provisions in the budget for augmentation of fodder and water for the animals so that they do not come out of their habitats.
"5,000 people (across the country) losing their lives is a serious matter. We studied the matter and farmers near the wildlife sanctuaries told us that animals come out as there is not enough food and water inside.
"Now new budget heads will be created for augmentation of fodder and water within the sanctuaries. People residing in the sanctuaries can also voluntarily leave and the spots from where animals come out can be fenced, trenches dug and people living around conflict areas educated," he said.
On the unruly situation arising in KNP over protests yesterday by people from three villages against their eviction as per a Gauhati High Court direction, he said he would seek a detailed report from the Assam Government.
"We will ask Assam to send us a detailed report. Then we will send a team," he said.
The police had resorted to firing and bursting of tear gas shells after lathicharge on protesters in the Park when over 3,000 residents from Bandardubi, Duarchuk Chang and Palkhowa villages came out under the aegis of the Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) to protest against their eviction as per Court's direction "as the concept of National Park in the Wild Life Act contemplates that there should be no human habitation."
The High Court on October 14 had issued a direction to the Deputy Commissioners of Golaghat, Sonitpur and Nagaon to take expeditious steps to evict inhabitants in the 2nd, 3rd, 5th and 6th Additions of the Kaziranga National Park, including Duarchuk Chang, Banderdubi and Palkhowa villages, within one month.
