GUWAHATI: In a demonstration against the widespread poaching of wildlife at Manas National Park in Assam's Baksa district, a coalition of animal conservationists and multiple organisations took to the streets.
These activists, including the Greater Manas Conservation Group and the Tourism Development Society, joined forces with ten other organisations to raise their voices against the alarming rate of animal killings within the park.
Manas National Park, known as a biodiversity hotspot and home to endangered species such as the one-horned rhino, tiger, elephant, and pygmy hog, has become a target for poachers.
Animal rights activists claim that numerous wild animals have been ruthlessly killed, depleting the park's precious wildlife population.
During the protest held on July 9, the protestors made a powerful statement by shaving their heads and vociferously expressing their outrage against the government's inaction.
Bubul Nath, the president of Greater Manas Conservation, expressed his concerns to the media, highlighting a recent incident where a rhino was killed and its horn was missing.
Nath further revealed that poachers have been responsible for the deaths of tigers, elephants, deer, and pygmy hogs in recent months. He noted that elephant teeth were found missing, and a tiger skin was recovered near the Sorbhog area adjacent to the Manas National Park.
Nath firmly stated that the killings of wild animals have become distressingly frequent, with ample evidence to support their claims. He also alleged that the meat of animals like deer, wild buffalo, and pygmy hogs is openly sold. Despite their efforts to inform forest officials about the rampant poaching activities, Nath expressed disappointment at the lack of concrete action taken by the authorities.
Karthik Sarkar, president of MEWS, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), emphasised the critical status of Manas National Park. He recalled how the park had been declared a world heritage site in danger by UNESCO in 1992 due to extensive poaching. However, after nearly two decades, it was removed from the danger list in 2011.
Sarkar urged the government to intervene promptly and strengthen security measures in and around Manas National Park. He expressed suspicions that some officials might be involved in these heinous acts. Despite providing forest officials with video evidence, the killings continue unabated. He further appealed to the state government to take immediate action against the poachers, warning that the protests would persist if the forest department fails to safeguard the animals in the national park.
The concerned citizens, conservationists, and organisations are united in their fight to protect the wildlife of Manas National Park and prevent the park from once again falling into the perilous grip of poaching.
