Wireless assistance for rhino conservation at Pabitora

Guwahati, May 15 (UNI) Altogether 15 new wireless handsets and three wireless base stations were handed over to the Pabitora sanctuary to assist in rhino protection measures by Aaranyak, a society for bio-diversity conservation in North East, in association with the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation of United Kingdom.

The equipment was handed over to the Pabitora authorities yesterday, Aaranyak General Secretary Bibhab Talukdar informed today.

Parliamentary Secretary of State (PWD) Bibekananda Doley handed over the equipment to Chief Wildlife Warden M C Malakar.

The equipment was sponsored by the European Association of Zoo Aquarium (EAZA) following Aaranyak and the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation campaign on rhino conservation-- ''Save the Rhino International campaign.'' An exgratia of Rs 40,000 was given to each of the five families of persons killed by rhinos around the sanctuary since 2002 on the occasion.

Mr Doley informed that the road to Pabitora Wildlife Sanctuary would be repaired soon to enable tourists to visit the sanctuary.

''This will bring revenue to the government and opportunities to unemployed youth,'' he added.

He stated that electric fence would be put up in parts of the sanctuary to stop rhinos and buffaloes from straying out.

UNI