 Reference Base  The greater one-horned rhino of Assam is threatened by po... |
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| Location: |
Asia - South Asia - India |
| Subject: |
Distribution - Records |
| Species: |
Indian Rhino |
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There are seven Park extensions that have been agreed upon, six on the southern side, including highland areas, and one on the north, namely the Brahmaputra river section beside the Park and the islands within it, which will be a great asset in preventing fishermen from aiding poachers. Although some money has been paid, more funds are needed to complete the transaction. When finalized, the Park area will be 917 kmy as opposed to the existing 430 kmy (Lahan, 1993; Sen, 1993). A further improvement which will indirectly help the Park concerns assistance to the villagers on the Park fringes with development projects. The human population pressure around the Park has much increased. The number of people in North Bengal and Assam has more than doubled since Independence (Deb Roy, 1993). Although some people consider rhinos as an asset because of the revenue earned from tourism, others, especially many of the Bengali immigrants, do not like the Park as they get no legal benefits from it: no thatch, timber, firewood nor fish may be taken. There are too many restrictions on the local people which increase their antagonism towards the Park.
An ecological development programme was recently proposed by WWF India (WWF India, 1993). A main recommendation is to help more people get employment. Some casuals are at present employed in the Park at $0.80 a day. Much more Park work is needed, which would help both Kaziranga and the villagers, if more money could be provided. The villagers also require tube-wells for clean water, proper medical facilities, education to improve conservation awareness, community afforestation projects and assistance to prevent crop losses. Crop damage, particularly by elephants, rhinos, buffaloes land wild boar, is the main cause of antagonism between the Park and the villagers. There is no compensation paid, unlike in the neighbouring state of West Bengal, but it should be, according to the Director of Kaziranga, who estimates that rhinos alone cause more than $3,200 of damage a year. The Forest Department assists an underpaid and underequipped 'crop protection squad', which needs to be improved (WWF India, 1993). If some villagers continue to suffer losses (including deaths from wild animals), and at the same time receive no legal benefits from the Park, they will be encouraged to harbour poachers. The Director of Kaziranga wants the fringe villagers to be the Park's second line of defence against poachers. The villagers' support is absolutely essential to reduce poaching of the rhinos.
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