 Reference Base  Rhino poaching in Orang Wildlife Sanctuary, Assam (India) |
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Talukdar, B.K., 1995. Rhino poaching in Orang Wildlife Sanctuary, Assam (India). Journal of Nature Conservation 7 (1): 1-6, tables 1-4
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| Location: |
Asia - South Asia - India |
| Subject: |
Distribution - Records |
| Species: |
Indian Rhino |
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Anti-poaching approach at OWLS : The. overall strength of forest staffs at OWLS, engaged for the protection of rhinos and its habitat is summarised in Table-4.
Table - 4 Forest staff at OWLS for the protection of Rhinos.
Category Number
Forest Ranger 1
Deputy Forest Ranger 1
Forester - 1 9
Forester - 11 3
Forest Guard 19
Game Watcher 9
Boat man 9
Mahut 9
Grass cutter 5
Driver 2
Dak-Runner 1
Office Peon 1
Chowkidar 1
Total 70
The OWLS have divided the sanctuary into 22 subareas- (1) Ramdas Tapu, (2) Belsiri, (3) Nisalmari, (4) Ranikong, (5) Amulya, (6) Pachnoi 1, (7) Pachnoi 2, (8) Pachnoi 3, (9) Pachnoi 1/2 left, (10) Magumari, (11) Bontapu, (12) Gaspara, (13) Tinicona, (14) Barleo Tapu, (15) Satsimalu (16) Kasomari, (17) Bejimari, (18) Katasali, (19) Ragapara, (20) Ghatpara, (21) Old Orang, (22) Chandanpur.
Encroachment threat: It was observed that the entire area of OWLS is surrounded by the villages. Even in the southern side, the islands of the river Brahmaputra, are now threatened with encroachment. It is learnt that the District Authorities of Sonitpur are planning tn allocate the char area of Brahmaputra river namelv Ramdas Tapu, Pancha Tapu, Sonit Tapu and Morasali Tapu. It consists of an area of around 100 hectare Government Khas land adjoining OWLS, but maintained by the Forest Department of Assam.
Discussion
The poaching poses the greatest threat to the survival of the Rhino population in OWLS. The prime reason for poaching is the high value for the rhino horn in the international market, as thr.rhino horns are still used by traditional medicine manufacturers in some Asian countries (Martin 1989, 1990; Martin and Martin 1991; Nowell et al 1992; Loh and Loh 1994). Due to the ever increased demand and costs of rhino horn in international market of Asian countries, the killing of rhinos by poachers in Assam has become inevitable. However the authorities of OWLS have been able to protect the rhinos in the sanctuary to a great extent despite severe threats from poaching activities. This is evident from the fact that during the period from 1980 to 1993 over 550 Rhinos were killed by poachers at Kaziranga National Park, Assam (Talukdar, 1994), the poaching rate per year at Kaziranga National Park is 39.28, while during the same period 43 rhinos were killed in Orang Wildlife Sanctuary, the poaching rate per year is 3.07. But still the well organised poachers are posing a great threat to the rhino population in OWLS and a challenge to the forest staff at OWLS to protect the existing rhino population in the area.
The OWLS is also threatened with encroachment activities. If the encrochers are allowed to settle in the char areas as mentioned in the findings, the grazing livestocks inside the sanctuary will increase and thereby it will pose serious threat to the habitat of OWLS. Moreover, the riverian areas of the river Brahmaputra being external extension of the habitat are strategically important ftom the point of view of poachers. iriostly come from the southern part of the river Brahmaputra. Combating poaching activities originating from the areas which serves as 'Launching Pads', should be an integral part of the conservation strategy in OWLS.
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