GUWAHATI, Jan 19 � The State Government has announced a slew of steps to prevent crime against wildlife. These steps are to be implemented within a month�s time with effect from today, said Forest Minister Rockybul Hussain. He was talking to The Assam Tribune.
The Minister said that the Government has decided to raise Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) to tackle the growing crimes against wildlife in the State. In the first phase, the RRTs will be raised in 16 districts.
The RRTs will be provided with accommodation, vehicles, accessories like cage, net, rope, first-aid boxes and tranquilizing gears etc imparting proper training to the manpower engaged, the minister said.
The districts being covered for the purpose in the first phase include Kamrup, Kamrup (Metro), Goalpara, Nagaon, Sonitpur, Lakhimpur, Jorhat, Sivasagar, Dibrugarh, Tinsukia, Karbi Anglong, Odalguri, Darrang, Barpeta and Golaghat. The Kaziranga National Park will also be covered under the initiative in the first phase, the minister said.
Besides, a massive awareness programme will be launched involving the national, international and local NGOs, which are working in the area of wildlife protection.
A high-level committee with the Principal Secretary of Forest, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) and the Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Project), has also been formed for the purpose of implementing the above decisions.
BSNL authorities have been contacted for installing a helpline within a month�s time for the purpose. Moreover, respective Divisional Forest Officers (DFOs) have been asked to lodge FIRs and to take steps against those found involved in any crime against wildlife under the Wildlife Protection Act (Amended), Assam, 2009.
The DFOS have also been asked to file FIRs against those found involved in preventing the forest officials in discharging their duty under the provisions of the IPC, said the Minister.
