KazirangaWildlife Society has expressed deep anguish over the serial poaching of Rhinos in the KazirangaNational Park. The Society condemned in strong words the inability of the forest department to check the poaching of Rhinos in their natural adobe as well as the government’s indifference to any effective policy making to protect the state’s wildlife and their habitat.
In a Press Meet held on Saturday at the Guwahati Press Club, the members of KWS held the Chief Wildlife warden of the state responsible for the, plight of rare species. Since 2012 more than 150 Rhinos fell prey to the bullet of poachers. Most of the poaching being taken place in Kaziranga once known as the most well managed park. At the same time death incidents of elephants, another species protected under the scheduled-I category, has doubled which is another cause of concern.
Compared to the earlier years, incidents of killing of rhinos in Kaziranga came down after an Intelligence Cell was put into place. Conservation NGOS have always pointed out intelligent failure in curbing rhino poaching in Kazaringa National Park. The Cell, constituted vide Govt of Assam notification No. FRW. 6/2015/2 dtd. Dispur the 17th March, 2015, was sent to Kaziranga and was taken as a very timely and positive move by the department to thwart the challenges of poaching of the unicornis. This action proved beneficial as there was a lull in poaching activities once the cell started operating .The people of the state also heaved a sigh of relief as no poaching was reported during those months--from May to July. Sadly, the Cell was called back after a few months. The moment the Cell was withdrawn from KNP, the menace of poaching showed its ugly head once again. It is noteworthy to mention that in the Intelligence Cell’s report many things came to the fore--most surprisingly-- involvement of a few forest personnel in poaching activities.
The KWS therefore strongly demand the government to reinstate the Intelligence Cell in Kaziranga with immediate effect. The KWS secretary Mubina Akhtar maintained that the Chief Minister who is also the Chairman of the StateWildlife Advisory Board has already ordered to reinstate the Cell but for reasons best known to the department the order is yet to be implemented.
The KWS also appeals to the government to conclude all formalities at once in raising a well equipped rhino protection force. Taking a dig at the selection procedure of forest personnel, especially frontline staff, the Society maintained that the selection procedure should be free from all kind of political influence for the greater sake of conservation of state’s wildlife.
The Society also appeals to the forest department to introduce a toll free number as ‘early warning system’ or ‘poaching alert’ and carry out massive awareness campaigns in fringe areas of sanctuaries and National Parks with the help of wildlife NGO’s.
The NGO lashed out at all political parties for playing politics even when there is a crisis like indiscriminate poaching of rhinos or clearing of forests in the State and demanded each political to give priority to a green agenda in their manifestos
Mumbai: The never-say-die soul of Dr. Bhupen Hazarika enjoyed yet another acme of glory when millions of people across the globe remembered him on his birth centenary on 8th September. From Assam and Kolkata to the capital Delhi, from India’s downtown Mumbai to Bengaluru, the Bard of Brahmaputra came alive with his songs and rhymes.
On 8th September, renowned music therapist and performer Anubhuti Goswami, along with her husband and multi-instrumentalist Emon Goswami, presented a soulful tribute to the legend Dr. Bhupen Hazarika as part of the birth centenary celebrations in Kolkata.
The duo performed at the Assam Bhawan, organized by the Kolkata Assamese Cultural Association,...
Clashes broke out in Churachandpur district on Thursday evening, barely two days before the scheduled visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Manipur, throwing the administration into a state of heightened alert. The incident occurred near Peasonmun village, situated about five kilometres from the Churachandpur police station, when a group of unidentified persons allegedly attempted to damage decorations and arrangements being put up for the Prime Minister’s public engagement.
Police personnel who rushed to the spot were confronted by the miscreants, following which a scuffle ensued. Reports indicate that several properties suffered damage during the course of the incident. While...
A heartfelt felicitation ceremony was held in Lumding to honor Naga woman Mrs. T. Machapakla Ao, the visionary founder of the Assamese medium school in the town. The event, organized by the fortnightly publication Matir Manuh, celebrated her pivotal role in establishing the school in 1956—a milestone in Lumding’s educational history.
Prominent speakers at the event included Rajkumar Baishya (Chief Editor, Matir Manuh), Deepak Mena (Executive President), Minati Sharma (Director Member), Prashant Hatimota (General Secretary), Sujata Sharma (Social Media Secretary), Anup Arandhara (Secretary, Mung-Dun-Chung Kham, Assam, NE India), Dr. T. Lima Jamir (President, Nagaland Indigenous People’s...
In recent years, Assam has witnessed a series of eviction drives that have displaced thousands, predominantly targeting Muslims of East Bengali origin. These individuals, often referred to as 'Miyas', have faced allegations of being 'illegal immigrants' despite possessing valid Indian documentation. The state's actions have raised concerns about the underlying motives and the implications for democracy and human rights.
Political Motive Behind Evictions
Experts argue that these eviction drives are strategically timed ahead of elections to create a divisive narrative. The ruling BJP is accused of attempting to foster a Hindu-Muslim divide, with some local organizations already holding...
In a move that has sparked anger and unease, police in Diphu have detained Karbi youth leader and social activist Lichong Rongphar for spearheading protests demanding eviction of alleged illegal settlers from VGR (Village Grazing Reserve) and PGR (Professional Grazing Reserve) lands in Karbi Anglong.
The irony is stark: while Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s government is carrying out aggressive eviction drives in the plains—Lakhimpur, Dhubri, Goalpara and Uriamghat—similar demands raised in Karbi Anglong are being met with police crackdowns instead of action.
Rongphar had been leading a series of mass protests, insisting that Bengali and Bihari settlers occupying VGR and PGR...
On the auspicious occasion of the birth centenary of Bharat Ratna Dr. Bhupen Hazarika, the Assam government has handed over the legendary singer’s neglected residence at Kuthori, Kaziranga, to local residents for preservation.
For the past five years, the house—once vibrant with the maestro’s harmonium, tabla, and compositions—had fallen into disrepair, leaving fans and admirers disheartened. Although the government had acquired the property at a cost of ₹2.51 crore from Fatik Nyog five years ago, no concrete conservation efforts had been initiated since.
Responding to repeated demands from villagers, the government announced today that the residence will be developed into a cultural...
The University of Science and Technology Meghalaya (USTM) celebrated the 100th birth anniversary of Bharat Ratna Dr. Bhupen Hazarika with a vibrant cultural programme at its Central Auditorium.
Themed “Voice of Bhupen Hazarika: Voice of the People; Leading to a Harmonious Society,” the event featured visual presentations, floral tributes, and lively performances by students and faculty.
Prasanta Rajguru, Editor-in-Chief of Prag News, delivered the keynote, highlighting five iconic songs of the maestro and their historical relevance. Actor Kamal Singh presented a special tribute performance, while dignitaries including Dr. Aparna Buzarbaruah graced the occasion.
The celebration...
In a landmark wildlife discovery, the elusive Pallas’s Cat has been documented for the first time in Arunachal Pradesh during an extensive high-altitude survey jointly conducted by the Department of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Government of Arunachal Pradesh and WWF-India.
The survey, carried out between July and September 2024, involved 136 camera traps across 2,000 sq km of rugged terrain in Tawang and West Kameng districts. It not only produced the first photographic record of Pallas’s Cat in the state, but also revealed the presence of five other wild cats — snow leopard, common leopard, clouded leopard, leopard cat, and marbled cat — at elevations above 4,200 metres...
In a historic gathering that marks a new chapter in Moran political mobilization, the Moran community today formally launched its new political platform, Jatiya Gan Mancha (National People’s Forum), at a mass assembly held at Kakopathar public ground. The event was convened under the aegis of leading Moran organizations, including the Assam Moran Sabha, All Moran Students’ Union, Moran Mahila Parishad, Moran Sahitya Sabha, Moran Art & Culture Development Centre, and the Moran National Educational Development Forum.
The assembly commenced with ceremonial tributes to the community’s forebears, accompanied by devotional songs and cultural performances, setting a solemn and festive tone...
The Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) loves to wear the mantle of regionalism. It proudly recalls its birth from the Assam Agitation and the sacrifices of 855 martyrs. Yet every fresh controversy over the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) exposes the party for what it has become: a political outfit addicted to power, reduced to theatrics whenever Assamese identity is threatened.
The script is depressingly familiar. In 2019, when CAA protests shook Assam, AGP staged a high-decibel drama—ministers resigned, alliance with the BJP was declared broken, the party promised to stand with the people. Two months later, under the cover of midnight negotiations, AGP crawled back into power, its leaders...
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