GUWAHATI, June 12 � A Division Bench of the Gauhati High Court, comprising Chief Justice Abhay Manohar Sapre and Justice Ujjal Bhuyan, today directed the State government to submit a comprehensive report by August 5 regarding measures to be taken to tackle the menace of poaching of rhinos and encroachment in Kaziranga National Park.
The High Court filed the suo moto PIL on the basis of news report on the issue of large scale poaching of rhinos and encroachment on the Kaziranga National Park.
The Forest Department has filed an affidavit stating inter alia measures taken by the government to check and control the poaching in the park.
Earlier on March 25, the Court directed the Director of Kaziranga National Park to prepare a detail report on the problems faced by the Park regarding poaching and encroachment and also measures to be undertaken to tackle the menace of poaching and encroachment by taking views of wildlife experts and other stake holders.
Devajit Saikia, Additional Advocate General, Assam apprised the Court regarding holding of three conclaves � two at Kohora and one at Guwahati � in which extensive deliberations took place on the issues in question. Saikia also apprised that opinion and views of wildlife experts on conservation and protection of rhinos of South Africa, Nepal, as well as of the country, are being considered for preparation of the report which is in its final stage. He also requested the Court to grant some more time so that the views and opinions of some of the concerned departments are also taken into consideration before submission of the final report.
The Court, after hearing the matter, allowed time to the State government to submit the comprehensive report by August 5. The case will again be heard on August 5.
