Rhino monitoring, patrolling stepped up in Laokhowa and Burhachapori

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaDecember 11, 2024

The Laokhowa and Burhachapori Wildlife Sanctuaries (LBWLS) in Assam have seen significant efforts to bolster the protection and monitoring of the greater one-horned rhinoceros.

These sanctuaries, which serve as a crucial riverine habitat for rhinos and as a buffer zone for Kaziranga Tiger Reserve, have faced challenges in the past, particularly from poaching gangs exploiting socio-political unrest during the 1980s. This led to the eradication of the resident rhino population, with only transient rhinos occasionally visiting from nearby Kaziranga and Orang National Parks.

The Assam Government expanded the areas of Burhachapori Wildlife Sanctuary, Orang National Park, and Kaziranga National Park. This initiative created corridors along the Brahmaputra river, facilitating the natural movement of rhinos between these regions.

Enhanced habitat quality, increased protection measures, and community involvement have encouraged rhinos to naturally settle in LBWLS from Kaziranga and Orang.

To ensure the rhinos’ safety and maintain the sanctuaries as viable habitats, authorities have upgraded scientific monitoring and patrolling capabilities.

On December 7, a rapid orientation programme was conducted by the Nagaon Wildlife Division to train officials. This event, led by Divisional Forest Officer Jayanta Deka, involved technical guidance from experts like Dr. Bibhab Kumar Talukdar, Dr. Deba Kumar Dutta, and Arup Das from Aaranyak, a conservation organization.

The orientation programme organized by the Nagaon Wildlife Division at Laokhowa and Burhachapori Wildlife Sanctuaries (LBWLS) marks a significant step in strengthening rhino conservation in Assam.

With the involvement of a diverse set of stakeholders, the initiative reflects a collective commitment to restoring these sanctuaries as thriving habitats for the greater one-horned rhinoceros.

The programme included contributions from Nagaon Girls’ College, with Dr. Kulen Das and Dr. Smarajit Ojha as knowledge partners.

Dilwar Hussain represented the Laokhowa and Burhachapori Conservation Society, emphasizing local involvement in conservation efforts.

The event was held across three locations within the sanctuaries and engaged around 100 staff members.

Participants received practical, site-specific training aimed at enhancing their technical skills in rhino monitoring and conservation.

The initiative is expected to improve staff motivation and bolster frontline teams’ capabilities, critical for securing wildlife and habitats.

Conservationists and locals of the Nagaon district are optimistic about the translocation of rhinos under the next phase of the Indian Rhino Vision project, aiming to establish a sustainable rhino population in LBWLS.

As conservation efforts gain momentum, these sanctuaries are anticipated to regain their ecological significance, fostering biodiversity and serving as vital habitats for rhinos.

This orientation underscores the importance of collaboration between government agencies, academic institutions, conservation organizations, and local communities in wildlife conservation. It highlights a renewed hope for the restoration of Laokhowa and Burhachapori as safe havens for the iconic one-horned rhinoceros.