Rhino Task Force to map new rhino vulnerable areas to check poaching

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaMay 16, 2024

In view of rhinos straying from Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve (KNPTR) into newer areas, including Majuli and Bura Chapori, the Anti-Rhino Poaching Task Force on Thursday decided to map the vulnerability of the newer areas and identify the measures for setting up of forest camps and patrolling routes.

The second meeting of the Anti-Rhino Poaching Task Force was held at Convention Centre at Kohorawith special DGP (headquarters) Harmeet Singh in the chair.

The rhinos are believed to have strayed from Kaziranga and were spotted on multiple occasions in Bura Chapori and Majuli. Reports have emerged that the rhino has been responsible for attacking human beings while venturing into the agricultural field.

“With the increase in the rhino population in Kaziranga Nationa Park and Tiger Reserve, rhinos are increasingly venturing into newer areas, including Bura Chapori and Majuli, as seen over the last two years. In the meeting, the Task Force also recommended regular coordination meetings in all rhino-bearing areas to conduct at the district level, to increase operational capabilities, an official of KNPTR said.

“The meeting also decided to include additional members in the Committee – IGPs (CR, NR, ER), DFOs from Nagaon, Golaghat, Jorhat territorial divisions and the Commandants of the Assam Forest Protection Force) for greater coordination and strengthening the surveillance,” the official added.

The meeting discussed the strategies to strengthen anti-rhino poaching measures and reviewed the existing rhino protection measures, forest-police coordination, deployment of existing Forest Protection Forces and strengthening of the intelligence networks. 

Presentations were made by forest and police officials from the 4 rhino-bearing areas.  

The meeting was also attended by KNPTR field director Sonali Ghosh, senior police officials including IGPs (STF) & (CR), SPs of rhino-bearing areas and senior forest officials including directors & DFOs.

“Chaired the 2nd meeting of the Anti-Rhino Poaching Task Force today at Kaziranga National Park, with senior police & forest officials. Strategies to bolster rhino protection, enhance coordination, cover new vulnerabilities & strengthen existing networks were deliberated. We are committed to the protection of Assam’s Wildlife, as envisioned by CMO Assam,” Special DGP Harmeet Singh said in a post on X after the meeting.