Orang: Poaching threatens to eliminate rhinos

But the once-thriving rhino  population is now in trouble.  There has been a serious deterioration in the security situation in Orang over the last five years, with a  sharp increase in poaching, reducing the rhino population to just 46 individuals in 1999. 
  

At one time there were five Protected Areas in Assam where the rhino was found - Kaziranga, Manas, Pabitora, Orang  and Laokhowa. But now, rhinos are found only in Kaziranga, Pabitora and Orang. Poachers and insurrectionists have slaughtered 70 rhinos in the Laokhowa Wildlife Sanctuary and around 80 in the Manas National Park. Ethno-political unrest  and terrorism were blamed, but the state  government cannot offer similar excuses in the case of Orang. 
  

Orang has been badly hit by a lack of proper staff strength, with a high percentage of posts lying vacant, severely  affecting protection work. Filling these posts is  the first and most important step towards rectifying the situation. The cooperation of civil and police authorities is also important. The increase in the rhino population in Orang in the late 1980s and early 1990s was the result of the dedicated contribution of forest officers and rangers.

Pressure needs to be put on the state and central governments to provide adequate resources and institutional support for the rhinos of the Orang National Park.

Write a letter to endorse your support.

Bibhab Kumar Talukdar, Aaranyak. 
Samanwoy Path (survey),
PO: Beltola, Guwahati - 781 028.Assam, India.
Tel/Fax: 91-361-566087. E-mail: bibhab@gw1.vsnl.net.in