Three new commando battalions deployed in Kaziranga National Park to protect animals

GUWAHATI: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma held a meeting at Kazirnaga with the civil and police administration and Kaziranga authority to ensure safety and security of the animals at Kaziranga National Park especially during the flood season and asked the concerned functionaries to put in place all necessary steps and ramp up the response system.

During the meeting, Sarma said that three new commando battalions deployed in Kaziranga to ensure that no animal is killed accidents during crossing the national high way and no poacher taking the opportunity of the flood situation can kill the wild animals. He also said that around 600 personnel of a new forest battalion will also be pressed in to service in Kaziranga National Park during the flood season.

The Chief Minister during the meeting also took stock of the loss of land of the Kaziranga National Park primarily due to swift flow of river water. He said that as a result of this, a sizeable chunk of the forest land of the park has been lost. In view of this, he announced that a joint task force will be formed taking experts from Forest Department, Water Resources Department and the Kaziranga National Park to study the phenomena and recommend remedial steps. 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.


Sarma also said that around 20 marine engine boats will be pressed in to service in Kaziranga to help the forest department to intensify its vigil in and around the park to thwart on the possible movements of the poachers.

The Chief Minister during the meeting also said that since the action of the government to evict illegal encroachment in the Bura Chapori yielded good results and animals from the park have started visiting the place, government would also deploy a commando battalion in Bura Chapori area for the safety and security of the wild animals.

Considering the rise of tourist inflow in Kaziranga National Park which touched an encouraging 3,27000 in the last tourist season, Sarma asked the Forest Department to prepare video documentary highlighting the unique features of Kaziranga National Park and as well as other national parks and wild life sanctuaries of the state for information of the tourists.