Assam’s para-cyclist Rakesh Banik, after covering a distance of 3200 km from Thailand, reached Kaziranga National Park on Wednesday.
With a mission to prevent rhino killing, Banik, a resident of Ambagan in Kaliabor of Assam’s Nagaon district, who has lost his right leg, reached Kaziranga National Park, which is world famous for being the home to one-horned rhinoceros, after travelling three Asian countries.
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Banik sustained multiple injuries in a major mishap in 2012.
He also expressed his travelling experience before media persons at Kaziranga on Wednesday.
Expressing concern over the unabated incidents of rhino killing for its precious horn, Banik alleged that the international racket of illegal smugglers of rhino horn is controlled from China.
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“The smuggled rhino horns are mainly sent to the international market through Tamu and More,” Banik claimed, adding, “In many Asian countries including China, a number of products are made from rhino horns.”
Tamu is a town in Sagaing Region in north-west Myanmar near the international border with Manipur.
He also claimed that on the basis of superstitious beliefs, products are also made to increase sex.
But this belief has no scientific proof.
He stated that the locals of Myanmar are not well aware about rhino.
Therefore, in order to spread awareness among the people against rhino horn smuggling, he started the cycle campaign, said Banik.
However, as he did not get permission to continue his cycling campaign on the roads of Myanmar, Banik was compelled to halt his journey and stay in Mandalai, the second largest city in Myanmar, for 12 days.
It may be mentioned that on his arrival at the Kaziranga National Park, Banik, who is known as a speedy para-cyclist, was given a warm welcome at the national park by the Kaziranga Jeep Safari Association and was taken to the national park in a jeep rally.
He was also felicitated by the Kaziranga Zeep Safari Association.