 Reference Base  Progress report of forest administration in the Province ... |
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| Location: |
Asia - South Asia - India - Assam |
| Subject: |
Distribution |
| Species: |
Indian Rhino |
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[p.4] 20. The question of game preservation in Assam is one that deserves to be taken up again (it might prove finally) in view of the pace at which the Unclassed State Forests are disappearing before advancing settlement, and of the failure of many Divisional Forest Officers to recognize their responsibilities in this matter as regards their own reserves. The public, commencing with the Forest Department, needs educating up to the fact that wild animals and the study of their habits are sources of great interest and delight to men of real culture throughout the civilized world, and that it is our duty to preserve them in reasonable numbers and in places, such as the interior of reserves, where they can do no harm to any one.
There are now only 2 sanctuaries in Assam, Kaziranga in Sibsagar and the Monas Sanctuary, made up of the two former contiguous sanctuaries on each side of the Monas. These are destined to become famous places in the course of time, provided adequate protection can be afforded to the animals they shelter. Kaziranga remains fairly free from poachers, but the reverse is the case on the Monas, which is infested by bands of Cacharis armed with unlicensed guns for the destruction of rhino and, so they aver, of any human who dares to interfere with them.
Rhino horns have always been valuable in India because of some supposed aphrodisiacal virtue but apparently still more so in China, the demand for which market has caused the extermination of Rhinoceros sondaicus in Burma except for a few individual specimens closely guarded by the Forest Department. China is undoubtedly after our rhino too (Rhinoceros indicus), with the consequence that a rhino horn is now worth more than a good pair of elephant tusks. When, as mentioned in last year's Annual Report, fines of only Rs. 20 and 25 are inflicted for killing these creatures, we can hardly congratulate ourselves that we are doing all that is possible to discourage poaching.
Resolution by W.A. Cosgrave, Chief Secretary to the Government of Assam, 1 November 1930
[p.2] 6. His Excellency in Council agrees with the Conservator that fines of Rs. 20 are quite inadequate in the rare cases where it is found possible to obtain convictions for killing rhino or elephants in the game sanctuaries. Owing to the remoteness of these sanctuaries it is difficult to obtain witnesses other than the forest subordinates whose evidence some magistrates are inclined to regard as biassed and unreliable. The question whether cases in connection with game preservation should be tried only by District or Special Magistrates will be examined.
His Excellency has read with regret and surprise the Conservator's remark that the Manas game sanctuary ‘’is infested by bands of Cacharis armed with unlicensed guns for the destruction of rhino and, so they aver, of any human who dares to interfere with them ". No official report about these armed bands of Cacharis has yet been received by Government from either the Conservator or the Commissioner, but if the local officers accept the Conservator's statement as correct and if it is known in what villages these Cacharis live, it ought to be possible to deal with them. The matter is one which requires immediate attention.
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