Kaziranga National Park Increased Security after Rumours of Using Rhino Horns to Make Covid-19 Drugs
News Update, Guwahati – The Kaziranga National Park has increased its security to protect its animals – particularly the one-horned rhino – after rumours spread that China is trying to use rhino horns to make drugs to fight Covid-19.
According to Nipu Kalita, officer-in-charge of Jakhalabandha district, “he doesn’t know the source of the rumour but it would definitely encourage poachers to try their luck. Now it is easier for them to enter the park as the roads are deserted. So, we are patrolling the area day and night with a special focus on sensitive areas. ”
A rhino horn, depending on its size and density, can be sold at prices ranging anywhere between Rs 5 lakh and Rs 40 lakh. Rhino poaching in Kaziranga picked up during 2013 and 2014 when 24 rhinos were poached every year.
KNP Officials Increased patrolling
According to DFO Ramesh Gogoi, Kaziranga National Park – the park has always been under threat of poaching due to decreasing human movement owing to the national lockdown. “The poachers usually cross the Karbi Hills and the NH-37 to enter the park. Usually, it is hard for them to enter without getting noticed as there are lots of vehicles and movement of people on a usual day. But due to the lockdown and decreasing security personnel, they might try to enter the park to kill rhinos.”
No rhinoceros died yet
Gogoi says that the entire game of smuggling of rhinoceros horns is running on superstition. In the wake of new rumors, we have further strengthened the surveillance system in the park. The good thing is that not a single rhinoceros has been killed so far this year.
Inputs – TOI
