NEW DELHI, Sept 2 � Ahead of his tour of the North-east, Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting and Environment and Forests Prakash Javadekar has underlined the need for a comprehensive arrangement to curb rhino poaching in the Kaziranga National Park (KNP).
As reported, the Minister, who is scheduled to visit Assam on September 4 and 5 to take stock of the conservation arrangements in the national park, would visit the KNP and its surrounding areas.
Addressing a press conference to mark the completion of 100 days in office, Javadekar said that during his tour of the KNP he would talk to the local people and meet representatives of organisations working in the area. He said he would visit the area in and around the KNP to assess the monitoring measures.
According to the last rhino census, there were a total of 2,505 rhinos in Assam, including 22 rhinos in the Manas National Park. Kaziranga, with a count of 2,290 rhinos, has the highest population of rhino, followed by the Pabitora Wildlife Sanctuary with 93 and the Rajiv Gandhi National Park at Orang with 10.
As many as 193 one-horned rhinos have fallen victim to poaching in the State since 2001. The poachers kill the rare, one-horned rhinoceros for its prized horn, whose price in the international market varies from Rs 40 lakh to Rs 90 lakh.
Replying to questions, Javadekar confirmed that a task force was being set up and modalities would be finalised in consultation with the State Forest Department officials.
Asked about killing of elephants in train accidents, the Minister said that a plan to regulate movement of trains near the known elephant corridor was being conceived.
India now has half of the world�s tiger population, the Minister boasted.
