NEW DELHI, May 5 � The government today said that 11 rhino poachers have been killed in separate encounters, while 20 have been arrested in the Kaziranga National Park this year, reports PTI.
Replying to a question in the Lok Sabha, Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar said that in 2014, 22 rhino poachers were killed in encounters, while 47 were arrested.
Till April 30 this year, nine rhinos have been killed in comparison to 27 killed in 2014, he said.
Noting that the enforcement of wildlife laws at the field level is undertaken by the relevant authorities of the State, Javadekar said seven rhino poaching cases have been transferred to the CBI by the State government for investigation.
Elaborating on the measures taken to protect rhinos in Kaziranga, Javadekar said the Kaziranga National Park has been declared as a tiger reserve and Central assistance is provided for intensive protection and conservation.
He said that a Rhino Protection Force has also been created and deployed by recruiting local youths with 100 per cent Central assistance, while a 24X7 electronic surveillance system has also been installed.
