Assam: 2479 Rhino horns consigned to flames at Bokakhat

The Assam government destroyed 2479 Rhino horns stockpiled in state treasuries to bust the myth about its medicinal value and to send a strong message against poaching.

Golaghat:On the occasion of World Rhino Day, the Assam govt on Wednesday burned 2479 Rhino horns to bust the myth about its medicinal value and to send a strong message against poaching.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who attended the ceremony where 2479 Rhino horns stockpiled in state treasuries since 1979 were burned in the sporting field in Bokakhat near Kaziranga National Park, announced that the government will fix a day every year when the confiscated or seized rhino horns and other animal parts will be burned and destroyed.

Assam govt burned 2479 Rhino horns on the occasion of World Rhino day

"We are going to set up a museum near Kaziranga for keeping the organs of dead animals. Some of the rhino horns including the world's largest horn, weighing 3.051 kg and 36 cm in height, will be housed here," the Chief Minister said adding that the government has also decided not to auction rhino horns, which was done prior to the 1980s. "We were advised by some people to auction rhino horns as it will fetch us revenue. However, we have rejected the proposal as it is against our culture," he added.

Read:Assam government all set to burn 2,479 rhino horns on Wednesday

Earlier, MK Yadav, Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (Wildlife), Assam, had said "As of now, there are 2,623 Rhino horns stockpiled at different locations in Assam, which have already been examined by an expert committee instituted by the government. Out of the total 2623 horns, 94 will be preserved for its heritage value and academic purpose while 50 others will be kept in the custody of the government due to some pending court cases."

In August, seven zonal committees and a technical panel constituted by the Chief Wildlife Warden had verified the rhino horns seized from poachers, smugglers or extracted from dead animals over the last four decades and kept in government treasuries.