CM Himanta Biswa Sarma visits Kaziranga, pledges to step up anti-poaching measures

Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma on April 16 visited Kaziranga National Park and assessed the security aspect of the park. The Chief Minister, who had visited Kaziranga as a tourist before, said that he is not here to see the wild animals, but to focus on the safety aspect of the park. He visited several areas near the site of the killing of rhinos last month and inspected forest areas on the banks of the Brahmaputra on the northern boundary of the park.

During his visit, the Chief Minister discussed ways to increase patrolling security, especially on the Brahmaputra riverines, and in the areas where additional security is needed on the banks of the Brahmaputra north of the park. He also mentioned that steps would be taken to increase patrolling security and the deployment of forest guards.

The Chief Minister spent nearly three or four hours in the interiors of the park and informed the media that soon the director general of police of the state along with him would come back to Kaziranga for a day-long visit to give a review of the safety aspects. He also revealed the Assam Government will appoint forest battalions and forest guards on May 10 to ensure the the safety of Kaziranga National Park.

Dr. Sarma also mentioned that the issue of flyovers to cover the animal corridors of Kaziranga is under consideration of the National Wildlife Board. He said that the Wildlife Board is yet to give a green signal and further added that  only after looking at the whole aspect of the positive and negative impact it will have on the construction of the flyover in Kaziranga, the Wildlife Board  will come up with a decision.

The Chief Minister also disclosed that the ministers of the state will meet the Bihuwotis by May to express their gratitude for their hard work, dedication and sacrifice in the inclusion of Bihu in the Guinness Book of World Records.