New Delhi: Once poachers in Assam have now turned to saviours of wild animals at the Manas National Park, which is home to many elephants, tigers, rhinos and several other species.
Located in the Himalayan foothills, it is contiguous with the Royal Manas National Park in Bhutan. The local people, majority of whom were poachers came forward to safeguard the animals of the sanctuary.
Deputy director of the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), Sameer Kumar Sinha said, "the local people have formed small committees to ensure the conservation of the wildlife. They cooperate with the forest officials while patrolling and work hand in hand for the protection of the animals."
UNESCO which earlier tagged it as a World Heritage Site 'in danger' has removed the danger tag seeing the revival of the sanctuary.
Sinha said, "We have conceptualized the greater Manas National Park which was welcomed by the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) as well as the Assam forest department. An additional area of 350 square metres has been added to the core area of 500 kms."
Last year a survey was conducted by WTI at the National Park which identified many endangered species. "We are highlighting the ecological value of the area and trying to improve the habitat of the species," said Sinha.
Manas National Park is a project tiger reserve, an elephant reserve and a biosphere reserve. In the last 80s when Assam was in the grip of insurgency, several endangered animals including one-horned rhino, tiger were killed by armed rebels and poachers.
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