Assam raises special force to protect one-horned rhinos

Assam has raised a separate force for protection of the one-horned rhinos.

Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal gave away appointment letters to 90 youths—carefully selected mostly from the fringe areas of Kaziranga National Park—who will form the crux of Special Rhino Protection Force (SRPF).  

The Government of Assam has decided to raise Special Rhino Protection Force using the local youth hailing from the fringe areas of the Kaziranga National Park. The force would be exclusively used for Kaziranga National Park, Orang National Park and Manas National Park—the three main rhino habitats of the state.

“Strengthening the forest protection mechanism by regular appointments and imparting technical training to employees are essential for sustainable management of forest and environment conservation. Recruitment of the 90 youth as constables through rigorous recruitment process will help in adding teeth to our efforts of rhino protection,” said the Chief Minister while addressing the new appointees today.

“Protecting rhinos along with other wild lives are our commitment and raising the Special Force is a step towards protecting our rhinos from the scourge of poaching,” he said adding that the newly recruited constables should maintain constant liaison with the higher ups of the security mechanism of Kaziranga National Park to form a formidable team for the protection of wild lives.

He said that the Government has devised a well laid out mechanism for their training, using latest technology to the appointees for their capacity building. Sonowal also urged them to develop a spirit of discipline, punctuality, dutifulness and commitment to take the protection measure altogether to a great height.

He said that in recognition to their duty towards rhino protection, the forces from Special Rhino Protection Force would be given awards.

Sonowal said that the government has formed fast track courts to bring the perpetrators of wild life crime to justice.

He also said that the newly raised Special Rhino Protection Force would be a new face of the State government’s efforts towards protection of wild lives in the state especially rhinos.

He at the same time assured all government assistance in empowering Special Rhino Protection Force to help them to live up to their mandate.