NEW DELHI, March 14 - Even as unabated killing of rhinos continues in Assam, the Centre has empowered the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 to apprehend and prosecute wildlife poachers.
Further the state governments have been requested to intensify patrolling in and around the protected areas.
Minister of State for Environment and Forest Anil Madhav Dave said the great Indian one-horned rhinoceros is one of the seventeen species identified for the recovery programme for critically endangered species, a component under the Centrally-sponsored Scheme of Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats. Under this scheme, the Central assistance is provided for the recovery and protection of the species.
Most of the habitats of one-horned rhinoceros have been covered under Project Tiger. These include Kaziranga Tiger Reserve, Manas Tiger Reserve and Dudhwa Tiger Reserve. Further, Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary of West Bengal, Orang National Park and Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary of Assam are also marked as conservation areas of the one-horned rhinoceros.
The government has provided legal protection to wild animals, including rhinoceros, against hunting and commercial exploitation under the provisions of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.
In addition to provision of stringent punishment for the offenders, the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 also provides for forfeiture of any equipment, vehicle or weapon used for committing wildlife offence.
