One small way NRAs can contribute to the conservation of rhinos in Assam is by
boycotting Kaziranga altogether. In spite of all the poaching incidences
Kaziranga is relatively well protected area with all sorts of epitaphs like
National Park, World Heritage Site, Elephant Reserve (part of Kaziranga-Karbi
Anglong elephant reserve) and now it is being christened as the third tiger
reserve of Assam. Compared to other Assam rhino habitats it is far ahead in
tourism infrastructure. Plight of other rhino habitat is worse. Entire
population of Laokhowa was decimated during Assam agitation, entire population
of Manas National Park during Bodo agitation, Orang and Pobitara are also
regularly targeted by poachers. In fact in Pobitara poachers innovatively used
the high tension lines running through the sanctuary to electrocute the
animals. In all these areas-Manas, Orang, Pobitara, Laokhowa forest department
people are waging lonely battles. There are some nascent eco-tourism
ventures and/or minimal tourism/forest department amenities at these four
places. They may not provide the same level of comfort as Wild Grass of
Kaziranga. But still patronizing these other rhino habitats by tourists and
NRAs will boost the moral of the people working for rhino conservation in these
areas and also help those who are dependent on eco-tourism. Kaziranga any way
gets its load of tourist. Normalcy has returned to Manas and this pace is
definitely worth visiting as the scenic beauty of this park is awesome.
An excellent website to get a glimpse of Assams forest, wildlife sanctuaries
and national parks is www.assamforest.co.in
Regards
Chittaranjan Pathak
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