KOHORA, March 6 - It is official now. They are not just a bunch of criminals with hand-made guns � the poachers killing the famed one-horned rhinos in the Kaziranga National Park comprises other anti-social groups equipped with sophisticated arms.
Poaching of the rhinos has always been a concern for conservationists, but the Government department engaged in protection of the famed animal has have invited much criticism as poaching of rhinos has increased in the past few years.
The very fact remains that most of the patrolling guards inside the forest are either completely demoralised or inactive due to over aged. According to a highly placed source in Kaziranga Forest, due to insensitive attitude of the State Government and lack of any long-term vision for the benefit and welfare of the frontline Forest staff, unlike armed forces and other allied paramilitary forces of the country, the extent of spirit and motivation which is highly essential to deal with any adverse conditions that may arise due to poachers activities and other ferocious wild animal�s attack inside the park is almost negligible among the forest guards.
Secondly, there is a need to replace the aged staff soon to further activate the patrolling inside the park, followed by deployment of at least 8 to 10 number of guards in each camp so that if any untoward incident happens, then it can be promptly tackled without any delay. It will even encourage these guards to move out without any fear even at odd hours too. There are 158 Forest camps inside the forest of Kaziranga.
Thirdly, there should be a proper series of comprehensive welfare measures among the Forest staff like inspiring them to do yoga for 10 to 15 minutes every day so that their mental position remain balanced and encouraged them to put 100 per cent effort in carrying out their duties inside the park.
Fourthly more local educated youths from fringe areas should appointed as frontline staff since they can well-adjusted the forest situation unlike someone from other places of Assam who often prefer to go near their home place after serving few months as it happened during the period of 2011 and 2012 period where most of the newly appointed guards moved out of Kaziranga.
