ASSAM TO INCREASE FIREPOWER OF KAZIRANGA GUARDS

ASSAM TO INCREASE FIREPOWER OF KAZIRANGA GUARDS

Subject : Environment

Context : The Assam government has approved a proposal to increase the firepower of the guards of Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve and provide commando training to them. These measures are aimed at preventing poaching.

Concept :

• It is located in the State of Assam and covers 42,996 Hectare (ha). It is the single largest undisturbed and representative area in the Brahmaputra Valley floodplain.

Status of the National park:

• It was declared as a National Park in 1974.
• It has been declared a tiger reserve since 2007. It has a total tiger reserve area of 1,030 sq km with a core area of 430 sq. km.
• It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985.
• It is recognized as an Important Bird Area by Bird Life International.

Important Species Found:

• It is the home of the world’s most one-horned rhinos. Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary has the highest density of one-horned rhinos in the world and second highest number of Rhinos in Assam after Kaziranga National Park.
• Much of the focus of conservation efforts in Kaziranga are focused on the ‘big four’ species— Rhino, Elephant, Royal Bengal tiger and Asiatic water buffalo.
• Kaziranga is also home to 9 of the 14 species of primates found in the Indian subcontinent.

Rivers and Highways:

• The National Highway 37 passes through the park area.
• The park also has more than 250 seasonal water bodies, besides the Diphlu River running through it.

Other national parks in Assam are:

• Dibru-Saikhowa National Park,
• ManasNational Park,
• Nameri National Park,
• Rajiv Gandhi Orang National Park.