Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday held a meeting with the police, civil administration and the Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve (KNPTR) authorities to take necessary measures in ensuring safety and security of the animals at the famed park.
During the meeting, CM Sarma asked the concerned departments to take all necessary steps and ramp up the response system to ensure the safety and security of the park animals, especially during the rainy season that causes floods in the park, a UNESCO world heritage site.
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The Chief Minister informed that three new commando battalions have been deployed in the park with an objective to foil any attempt by poachers to kill animals taking advantage of the floods.
Moreover, these commandos will ensure that no animal gets killed after being hit by vehicles while trying to cross the National Highway. In addition, around 600 personnel of a new forest battalion will also be pressed into service in the park during the rainy season.
Taking stock of the erosion problem in KNPTR, CM Sarma said that this has led to the park losing a sizable chunk of its forest cover. To mitigate this problem, he said that a joint task force will be formed with experts from the forest department, water resources department and the KNPTR to study the phenomena and take remedial measures.
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The task force will submit its report and recommend measures to the government within 45 days based on which appropriate steps to address the problem will be taken.
He also informed that around 20 marine engine boats will be pressed into service in the park to help the forest guards in intensifying its vigil in and around the park to thwart possible movements of poachers.
As evicting illegal encroachers from Bura Chapori has yielded good results with animals returning to the place, CM Sarma said a commando battalion will be deployed in the area soon for the safety and security of the animals.
Considering the encouraging footfall of tourists in the park this season, CM Sarma asked the forest department to make a documentary highlighting the unique features of KNPTR as well as other national parks and wildlife sanctuaries of Assam for information of the tourists.