Forest guards in India’s Kaziranga National Park might be closer to getting the weapons – and permissions – they need to fight poachers.

New Delhi has been asked by UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee (WHC) to step up anti-poaching efforts in Kaziranga National Park, where a greater one-horned rhino (Rhinoceros unicornis) was recently killed. According to the Times of India, resource requests are likely to include acquisition of stronger equipment for forest officials, such as powerful firearms and night vision tools, as well as increased financial support. There is also an emphasis on local community involvement – important because poachers tempt locals with financial rewards to assist them in their killings of the park’s protected species.

At the moment, forest guards don’t stand much of a chance during poacher confrontations. The guards currently use .315 rifles, considered “sport rifles”, which are woefully inadequate weaponry against well-armed poachers. Although Assam Police – who use .303 rifles to take down criminals – were deployed in Kaziranga in 2007, forest guards do not have access to such firearms, nor do they have the same permissions as police to use guns against criminals.

Forest minister Rockybul Hussain claims that the government is trying to amend policy so that the forest guards will have the same weaponry and permissions as police in order to have an effect on poachers. He also said that an amendment to the Wildlife Protection Bill 2009 had been passed, which included increased penalties for wildlife crimes. Of special concern in Kaziranga National Park is the greater one-horned rhinoceros.

Increased rhino numbers are no reason to relax

Although the most recent greater one-horned rhino census in Kaziranga reported increased numbers since 2006, there is no reason to believe there is a reduced threat to these vulnerable animals. A senior park official told TOI that the current lull in rhino poaching in Kaziranga is likely to be the calm before the storm.

We can bring down the level of poaching, but cannot completely eradicate the menace. Kaziranga houses two-thirds of the world’s one-horned rhino population, so the target of poachers will always be there.

So far this year, Kaziranga has reportedly lost four rhinos to poachers. However, guards intercepted 11 poaching attempts. This is an improvement over the period of 2007 – 2008, when at least 24 Kaziranga rhinos were killed.

Worldwide rhinoceros populations have been decimated by 90% since 1970, mainly due to poaching for their horn. According to Chinese superstition, the rhino’s horn is a remedy for common ailments such as fever or aches and pains. Tragically, the recent affluence boom in China has driven an unprecedented resurgence in the slaughter of rhino for pricey, prestigious “ancient remedies.”

Here’s to hoping Kazranga’s forest guards receive the weapons they need – and given “shoot to kill” permission against poachers!

Image source: flickr.com/lipkee / CC BY-SA 2.0

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UNESCO Requests Stronger Anti-Poaching Measures for Kaziranga National Park by Rhishja Larson originally published August 28, 2009 on EcoWorldly.

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