"Zero rhino, tiger poaching in Manas National Park for three straight years": Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma
Guwahati, June 17
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma lauded the Manas National Park and Tiger Reserve for achieving a remarkable milestone as the UNESCO World Heritage site has recorded zero rhino and tiger poaching for three consecutive years.
Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma wrote on X, "Zero rhino and tiger poaching in Manas National Park for 3 straight years! From an era where poaching dominated news headlines to now, when zero poaching is the new normal- this feat signifies the relentless efforts Assam has undertaken to preserve our faunal diversity."
On the other hand, Assam Forest Minister Jayanta Mallabaruah said that, under the constant guidance and direction of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Manas National Park has recorded zero rhino and tiger poaching for the last three years.
"As we celebrate this extraordinary achievement, I believe these visuals will tell you the story behind this achievement. The long patrols, the vigilance in the field and continuous engagement with local communities are the hard work that has strengthened wildlife protection in Manas," the Assam Forest Minister wrote on X.
He also said, "I am delighted by the work done by our Forest Department officials and frontline staff who have devoted themselves to this mission with sincerity and courage."
Assam is the home to 80 per cent of the global population of greater one-horned rhinos.
According to the government data, the rhino population in Assam has surged by approximately 170 per cent since the 1980s, growing from 1500 to over 4000.
Meanwhile, Manas National Park, nestled on the foothills of the Himalayas, houses a unique biodiversity. It was declared a national park in 1990 and earned the badge of UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988.
It is the first tiger reserve in Assam and the fifth in India, under the initiative of Project Tiger of 1973.
Manas National Park provides shelter to the highest population of endangered species and rare wildlife such as Red Panda, Golden Langur, Pygmy Hog, Assam Roofed Top Turtle, and Hispid Hare.
Animals that can be found in the Park include the Royal Bengal Tiger, Asian Elephant, Greater One-horned Rhinoceros, Clouded Leopard, Gangetic Dolphin, and the rare Langur. A total of 450 species of birds have been officially recorded in the park, 16 of which are widespread.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Great to see consistent efforts paying off. But let's not forget the real heroes here - the frontline forest guards who spend weeks on end in the wilderness, often with minimal facilities. CM and ministers will take credit, but it's those guys in the trenches who deserve the real applause. Also, hope this isn't just about rhinos and tigers - what about the pygmy hogs and golden langurs? Need comprehensive conservation, not just flagship species focus.
From 1500 to over 4000 rhinos since the 80s - that's the kind of growth story India needs to tell more often! Manas has come a long way from being a war-torn park during the Bodo agitation days. The community engagement model Assam has adopted is brilliant - you can't protect forests by keeping people out, you have to involve them. This is proof that conservation and development can go hand in hand. 🇮🇳🌿
As someone who visited Manas last winter, I can vouch for how well-maintained the park is now. Saw two rhinos and a herd of elephants! The forest guards were extremely knowledgeable and passionate. Yes, there are still challenges - human-wildlife conflict in nearby villages, encroachment concerns - but this zero poaching milestone deserves all the recognition. Now if only we could apply this model to Kaziranga too! 🦏
Impressive numbers, but let's have some perspective - zero poaching in a monitored park doesn't mean zero threats. With poachers getting more sophisticated and international syndicates still active, this is a fragile achievement. The real test will be when budgets get tight or political priorities shift. Need permanent institutional mechanisms, not just individual-driven success. Still, a moment to celebrate! 👏
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