NGO urges Asom govt to raise poaching issue with Nagaland

Guwahati, May 5 (UNI) A day after four poachers were arrested in Kaziranga National Park (KNP), an NGO has asked the Asom government to take up the matter with the neighbouring Nagaland government.

''It is clear that Nagaland-based miscreants are sponsoring poaching in the KNP. The government should take up the matter with Nagaland to check the menace,'' Bibhav Kumar Talukdar of Aaranayak, an NGO working for conservation of wildlife, said.

Citing instances where arrested poachers revealed their identity, Mr Talukdar said the miscreants were from Nagaland and were aiding arms and other equipment to carry on poaching activities in the park.

A joint team of the Asom Police and Forest guards have arrested four poachers from the Beloguri Dhuwahuti village under Agoratoli range of the Park yesterday and recovered a 303 rifle, a country-made gun and 18 live cartridges.

On interrogation one of the arrested poachers revealed that he had been working as a mahout in the neighbouring state and the arms were supplied by a Nagaland-based criminal.

Since 1995, at least 92 poachers have been killed while 660 were arrested in the KNP alone.

After six rhinos were poached in the first quarter of this year, the forest department has been facing 'heat' from various quarters to intensify security arrangements.

Several international bodies had also the requested the Prime Minister. seeking adequate measures to check poaching in the park.

Two poachers have been killed and another six apprehended in the park so far this year.

The world heritage site has witnessed the killing of 558 one-horned rhinos since 1980.

UNI