 Reference Base  The greater one-horned rhino of Assam is threatened by po... |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| Location: |
Asia - South Asia - India |
| Subject: |
Distribution - Records |
| Species: |
Indian Rhino |
 |
|
The Central Government is becoming disillusioned about putting money into Manas to re-build bridges and buildings time and again, but it is essential that the government does allocate the necessary funds in order to keep a presence in Manas, or this important Park will be lost. At the moment there is money only to pay the 379 staff salaries and a few other expenses, according to P. Lahan, Director of Manas. The Park needs a lot of extra funds. 'Let the camps be burned down and money 'wasted', but it is more important to keep the area' pleads the Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) Assam (pers. comm.).
As for the long-term benefit of the Park, the people nearby must receive assistance. Only then will they support the Park authorities as opposed to helping the poachers. Crop damage is a problem: in a recent study of certain fringe villages south of the Park, 97% of the villagers are affected by elephant damage, 57% by deer, 52% by wild boar, 1 0% by monkeys, but only 5% by rhinos because the rhinos live in the central core of the Park and thus rarely come out to graze (Dey & Bhattacharjee, 1993). If insurance cover against crop damage could be provided by the state government, this would greatly reduce the adverse attitude of the people (which often results in people killing animals). Many of the villagers are hostile to Manas due to their feelings of deprivation and neglect.
Solutions to these problems have been studied by WWF India (Dey & Bhattacharjee, 1993); the first recommendation of this report states that influential residents should encourage and educate the villagers on the importance of protecting Manas. In addition, the government needs to spend a lot of money in upgrading the amenities for these villagers who presently are 74% illiterate and very poor.
|
|
|
File available
details
Original text on this topic: