A total of 239 rhinos were killed by poachers in the last 16 years in Assam, Forest Minister Pramila Rani Brahma said on Thursday. Replying to a query of Congress MLA Ajanta Neog in the Assembly, Brahma said the rhinos were killed by poachers from 2001 to July 2016.
“The morale of forest staff is very low. There is no proper basic amenities. Transit camps are in a dilapidated condition and there is no drinking water facility. They do not even get their ration every month – it is given only once or twice a year,” she said. She said the department had employed casual staff, but unfortunately their pays were not regular.
“It is said that money is sanctioned for uniforms, but they do not get it...How will they survive? I discussed the issue with the CM as we are serious about stopping poaching,” Brahma said.
She said the equipment, including arms such as .303 rifles, were age-old and most of the time there was a scarcity of bullets. “We need to modernise the equipment. We need to provide good transit camps, uniforms, shoes and all other facilities. My priority is to prevent poaching, but I cannot claim that I will be able to fully eliminate poaching,” Brahma said, adding that there is a big international racket operating for rhino horns for its medicinal value.
“In Assam, a horn is sold for Rs 1.5 lakh and above. Once it crosses the international border, its value touches crores. In Myanmar, it is Rs 2 crore and Rs 3 crore in China. So unless we break this racket, sporadic incidents of poaching will continue,” she said.