kolkata: The Bengal Rhinoceros Preservation (Repealing) Bill 2022, was passed at the state Assembly on Thursday to repeal the Bengal Rhinoceros Preservation Act 1932 which has lost its relevance with time.
"The conservation of rhinoceros has been covered under the Wildlife Protection Act 1972 of the Central government and it is followed in Bengal too so it was useless to continue with the 1932 British period act," state Forest minister Jyotipriya Mallick said.
The Wildlife Protection Act 1972 is followed across the country and wildlife is protected under the same. The minister said that the measures undertaken by the department yielded fruits when it comes to the preservation of the rhinoceros as not a single death has taken place in the last two years. The surveillance has been strengthened and jeeps have been provided for guarding forests.
Modernised guns have also been provided to the forest guards for ensuring their safety.
"The state will not allow any sawmill inside the forest area. If there are any existing sawmills they will gradually be closed down. The green cover of the forest should be preserved to the best possible extent," the minister added.
He maintained that no lifting of stones or sand will be allowed in forest areas and urged the MLAs including the Opposition BJP to be active in this regard.
According to the last census by the department held in March, the number of one-horned rhinos at Jaldapara stood at 292 while that in Gorumara stood at 92. Among the 292 animals, 101 were male, 134 female and 57 sub-adults whose sex could not be determined.