57 poachers surrender arms, pledge to protect Raimana National Park in Kokrajhar

OUR CORRESPONDENT

KOKRAJHAR: Synchronizing with the observation of World Rhino Day, as many as 57 poachers surrendered their arms and other hunting tools on Wednesday in Kokrajhar and declared to work for the protection of wild animals and forest of the newly-declared Raimana National Park.

The CEM of Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC), Pramod Boro felicitated the poachers who laid down arms. He thanked the NGO, forest officials and poachers for the event.

The chief of BTC appealed to the surrendered poachers and their family members to start a fresh life with dignity and respect for wildlife. Addressing the gathering, Boro said, "Today is World Rhino Day and we will soon reintroduce rhinos in the newly created park. There were rhinos just 70-80 years ago in this area."

For rehabilitation of the reformed families, one-time support Rs. 50,000 in cheque was given to each of them. Two weaving clusters will be set up for promotion of traditional culture into business near Raimona NP. It will contribute to both promotion of community-based tourism and conservation of traditional skills of local communities.

On Wednesday, under the aegis of Raimona Golden Langur Eco-tourism Society (NGO), the ceremony was held where as many as 57 poachers laid down 40 hand-made guns, 11 deer antlers and a pair of elephant tusks. They promised to preserve the natural heritage of Bodoland and Raimona National Park. The event was graced by the CEM Pramod Boro, Forest EM Ranjit Basumatary, Health EM Arup Kr. Dey, and other dignitaries.

Meanwhile, congratulating the 700 members of Raimana Golden Langur Eco-tourism Society, Somnath Narzary, chief advisor of Raimana Golden Langur Eco-tourism Society, who constantly initiated this process to bring all the poachers to the mainstream, said that it was a very significant development to save forest and animals.

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