CM Sarbananda Sonowal stresses on protection on wildlife at Kaziranga National Park

GUWAHATI: Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal directed the district administration and Forest department officials of Golaghat, Nagaon, Sonitpur, Biswanath and Karbi Anglong to put up coordinated efforts to ensure protection of wildlife at the Kaziranga National Park from poaching and provide the animals adequate relief during floods. He directed this while reviewing preparation of these districts on wildlife protection during the forthcoming monsoon season in a meeting held at the conference hall of Iora Resort at Kaziranga in Golaghat district on Tuesday, stated a press release.

The Chief Minister said that Kaziranga National Park has global importance and any untoward incident that takes place in the park draws attention of the people worldwide.

Due to united efforts of the administration and forest officials of the five districts adjoining the park, rhino poaching could be considerably reduced in last four years, the Chief Minister observed. He also directed the civil and police administration as well as the Forest department to continue their efforts unabated. The Chief Minister taking strong note of the rhino poaching incident that took place few days back directed the police and Forest department to take expeditious measures to nab the poachers.

The Chief Minister said that the fast track courts set up by Gauhati High Court as per State government's request have so far convicted several poachers and handed them exemplary punishment. He observed that steps of this kind have instilled fear in the mind of poachers and left positive impact on wildlife protection. Moreover, to strengthen anti poaching drive at the park, the Chief Minister directed the district administration and the forest department to engage village headmen, tea garden sardars and people having strong grass root connection living in the adjoining areas in the wildlife protection endeavours.

Underlining the need for adequate health care facilities for the wildlife at Kaziranga National Park and to boost up services of the veterinary department, the Chief Minister directed the forest department to develop a skilled force with proper training to render necessary health service to the animals in the park. The Chief Minister also stressed on the need to make the wildlife protection measures of the forest department more visible and directed the department to fill up all vacancies to give more teeth to its wildlife protection activities. 

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