PM Modi lauds people of Assam’s rhino conservation efforts

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has complimented the people of Assam for their proactive efforts towards rhino conservation in the state after zero poaching incidents were reported in 2022.

Sharing a tweet by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Zero Rhino poaching in 2022, the Prime Minister tweeted, “This is great news! Compliments to the people of Assam, who have shown the way and been proactive in their efforts to protect the rhinos. ”

At a media briefing on January 1st, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma stated that in 2022, no rhino poaching cases have been reported in Kaziranga National Park, Manas National Park, Orang National Park and Pobitora Wildlife sanctuary.

The Chief Minister said that rhino poaching, which was rampant in the past has significantly decreased due to stringent surveillance and other elevated security arrangements being put in by the authorities.

Assam is known for its one-horned Rhino and the state attracts a large number of tourists who come to visit such sites.

Kaziranga National Park is now home to 2,613 Rhinos and the numbers are increasing, as per the latest census data put out by the national park authority.

In 2021, the number of rhinos lost to poaching was the lowest in 21 yrs at just 1. In 2013 and 2014, as many as 27 rhinos were killed by poachers.

To give a clear message to poachers that rhino horns don’t attach any medicinal or monetary value, the Assam government publicly burnt a stockpile of 2,479 horns in September. “The use of rhinos’ horns for medicinal purposes is a myth,” Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had then said.

Also Read: No incident of rhino poaching in 2022, says Assam CM