What has happened in Assam?
In 2022, there was no poaching of endangered rhinoceros in Assam. Rhinos are famous for their horns, which are usually sold for a lot of money. This is the first time that this has happened in 45 years (yay!).
No rhinos were poached in any of the national parks in Kaziranga, Manas, Orang, or even in the Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary.
In Assam, 191 rhinos were poached between 2000 and 2021 (oh no!). Zero poaching was made possible thanks to the efforts of the state's forest and police departments.
Why are rhinoceros poached?
Endangered Indian rhinoceroses are usually killed for their horns, as they can sell for thousands of dollars on the black market. The Assam Forest Department says that people believe that rhino horns can be used to treat diseases such as cancer.
A rhino horn is also considered a status symbol in Vietnam. Due to these demands, bad people kill rhinos and poach their horns. Several scientific studies have found that rhino horn has no medical benefits. Still, horns are sold on the black market.
How was zero rhino poaching made possible?
In 2021, a task force was created to achieve zero rhino poaching in Assam. It was made up of top officers from the police and the forest departments.
The task force gathered information on all previous poachers as well as their current activities. CCTVs (with night vision) were also installed at the entry and exit points of national parks and wildlife sanctuaries.
The team worked with police from Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, and Manipur to arrest the poachers. Many armed commandos, drones, and dog squads are used to monitor the poachers across the state. The zero poaching of rhinos in 2022 shows that the task force is doing its job well.
What did we learn from this article?
We learned that there are many bad people in this world who will do anything for money. But, there are also good people who will stand up to them. They will do everything they can to protect other animals and human beings.
The steps taken by the Assam government to stop the poaching of rhinos must be appreciated. Let’s hope no rhinos are poached in the years to come.
