Ex-poachers vow to save animals of Manas

Kokrajhar, Dec 30 (UNI) Former poachers in Asom today vowed to protect and preserve the very forests they had ravaged for ages after the Asom government announced to spend Rs.1.5 crore for safe habitat of many endangered species of Manas.

They took this pledge while participating in the two-day closing ceremony of the centenary celebrations of the Manas National Park (MNP) at Kokilabari in Asom's Baksa district.

Once the free treading ground of Bodo rebels and poachers, the Park now boosts of attracting tourists for its unique conservation efforts. The MNP comes under the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) limits, with the BTC administration as well as the Asom government chipping in its bit to help the park thrives.

The celebrations organized jointly by the BTC, along with the Manas Maozigendri Ecotourism Society (MMES), the group formed by erstwhile poachers who have turned protectors of the Park now. It was due to the untiring efforts of these youths, some of them being former Bodo militants also, that the Park was reopened for travelers after being closed down for several years during the violent Bodo movement.

State Forests and Tourism Minister Rockybull Hussain announced a Rs 1.5 crore package for developing infrastructure in the Park.

"Manas has great potentials as a major tourist hub at par with the Kaziranga National Park. Now that peace is back in the region and tourists are flowing in, we will develop Manas as one of the best wildlife destinations in the country.", he said.

BTC deputy chief Khampa Borgayari said alternative means of livelihood would be provided for dwellers of fringe areas of the MNP. ''The people in those areas indulge in poaching and smuggling of forest goods in absence of other means of livelihood and poor living conditions,'' he added.

Chief Conservator of Wildlife M.C.Malakar, also present on the occasion, expressed hope of revival of the Park in a big way even in the face of financial constraints due to the initiatives taken by the local people.

He said, ''Funds are in short supply, but the initiative and enthusiasm shown by the local people in protecting and preserving the Park will make things much easier.'' He informed that night safaris were becoming very popular with the visitors, with more tourists likely to pour in once the infrastructure was developed.

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