In a significant breakthrough, the Assam Police on Wednesday arrested four suspected rhino poachers at Orang National Park, seizing arms, ammunition, and other related materials. Assam’s Director General of Police, Gyanendra Pratap Singh, praised the Darrang district police personnel for their swift action, confirming the arrests
The arrested individuals were identified as Nur Hussain, Abul Hussain, Jaffar Ali, and Nur Islam. Police recovered a .303 rifle with ammunition, three mobile handsets, five motorcycles, and camping supplies from their possession. The police revealed that the suspects had been planning to enter the park for poaching activities.
Earlier in October, an attempt at rhino poaching in Assam’s Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve was thwarted by a quick response from the police and forest department. The poachers, Rasidul Haque (28) and Sibe Ali (36), were arrested, and authorities are continuing their investigation to apprehend other culprits linked to the case.
Assam’s Chief Minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma, highlighted that poaching of the one-horned rhino has reduced by 86% since 2016 in protected habitats such as Kaziranga. He emphasized the state’s commitment to wildlife conservation, noting that 190 rhinos were killed by poachers between 2000 and 2021. According to the 2022 census, over 2,850 rhinos are currently found in Assam’s national parks, with the majority residing in Kaziranga National Park.
The Orang National Park, spread across 279.83 sq km, is home to over 100 one-horned rhinos, contributing to the conservation of this iconic species in India. The park, like other protected areas in Assam, continues to be a vital habitat for various wildlife species, including Royal Bengal tigers, elephants, and wild buffaloes.
