Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma chaired a crucial meeting with officials and discussed on adopting measures to ensure the safety of animals at the Kaziranga National Park during the monsoon season.
CM Sarma instructed officials to ensure that the animals have access to food, their movement is safe, and poaching is restricted, among other important measures.
In order to sustain the success over the last three years in curbing poaching and minimizing damage to wildlife due to floods, the government shall adopt a whole-of-government approach. This would include close coordination of all departments.
The Chief Minister also stated that following the visit of PM Modi and The King of Bhutan, the national park witnessed a surge in tourism with over 3 lakh visitors.
Further, CM Sarma said that he has also authorized the deployment of additional forest battalions to protect the reserve. The security forces have been instructed to take all possible preventive measures to control poaching, the Chief Minister added.
Himanta Biswa Sarma while addressing media persons after the meeting said that three new commando battalions have been deployed in Kaziranga to ensure that no animals are killed in accidents while crossing the national highway and no poachers taking the opportunity of the flood situation to kill the wild animals.
He also said that around 600 personnel of a new forest battalion will also be pressed into service in Kaziranga National Park during the flood season.
An expert group has also been constituted to suggest ways to check soil erosion in the forest.
He said, "The team will submit its report within 45 days to the government. Based on the recommendations, the government will take appropriate steps to address the menace of soil erosion in the park."
