The poachers of Kaziranga National Park are now the custodians of the big beast…
Not many years ago, the people of Assam would wake up to news like ‘Rhinos poached!’, ‘Forest officials fail to protect the species that brought fame to the nation!’ and they would lament on the crumbling state of the Kaziranga National Park, a World Heritage Site. But today, the once pitiful state of the rhino and the National Park has been infused with new life thanks to the Eco-development programs that have been initiated by the forest officials.
The rhino census conducted in 2009 showed 2028 rhinos as compared to 1885 in 2006 (conducted by Assam Forest Department in collaboration with Asian Rhino Specialist Group), indicating a steep rise in just three years. According to the Indian Rhino Vision Plan (2020), the rhino numbers need to be taken to 3000, which before 2008 had seemed like a far-fetched dream due to rampant and uncontrollable poaching. The forest officials of Assam had no choice but to pull-up their socks and save the star species of Assam and of the nation. Majorly poached in Africa and Asia, rhino horns serve as aphrodisiacs and are used for medicinal purposes in East Asia, especially China and Vietnam. It was observed that mostly the tribal youth was involved in poaching, and they earned approximately Rs. 5000 for every kill. The forest officials decided to seek help from none other than the local villagers. In very little time they transformed the locals from poachers to preachers of anti-poaching! In 2008, Eco-development programs were adopted in which 110 villages surrounding the Kaziranga National Park were identified and the local tribes were given the opportunity to establish a permanent source of livelihood. The villagers were shown the possibility of leading a better life and receiving a regular source of income through respectable vocations like weaving, agriculture, bee-keeping, serving as local guides of the park. The villagers in return extended their help in tracking down the poachers, thereby restoring the rhino count in the park.
Not many years ago, the people of Assam would wake up to news like ‘Rhinos poached!’, ‘Forest officials fail to protect the species that brought fame to the nation!’ and they would lament on the crumbling state of the Kaziranga National Park, a World Heritage Site. But today, the once pitiful state of the rhino and the National Park has been infused with new life thanks to the Eco-development programs that have been initiated by the forest officials.
The rhino census conducted in 2009 showed 2028 rhinos as compared to 1885 in 2006 (conducted by Assam Forest Department in collaboration with Asian Rhino Specialist Group), indicating a steep rise in just three years. According to the Indian Rhino Vision Plan (2020), the rhino numbers need to be taken to 3000, which before 2008 had seemed like a far-fetched dream due to rampant and uncontrollable poaching. The forest officials of Assam had no choice but to pull-up their socks and save the star species of Assam and of the nation. Majorly poached in Africa and Asia, rhino horns serve as aphrodisiacs and are used for medicinal purposes in East Asia, especially China and Vietnam. It was observed that mostly the tribal youth was involved in poaching, and they earned approximately Rs. 5000 for every kill. The forest officials decided to seek help from none other than the local villagers. In very little time they transformed the locals from poachers to preachers of anti-poaching! In 2008, Eco-development programs were adopted in which 110 villages surrounding the Kaziranga National Park were identified and the local tribes were given the opportunity to establish a permanent source of livelihood. The villagers were shown the possibility of leading a better life and receiving a regular source of income through respectable vocations like weaving, agriculture, bee-keeping, serving as local guides of the park. The villagers in return extended their help in tracking down the poachers, thereby restoring the rhino count in the park.
Source : IIPM Editorial, 2012.
An Initiative of IIPM, Malay Chaudhuri
and Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist).
For More IIPM Info, Visit below mentioned IIPM articles.
Zee Business Best B-School Survey 2012
Prof. Arindam Chaudhuri's Session at IMA Indore
IIPM IN FINANCIAL TIMES, UK. FEATURE OF THE WEEK
IIPM strong hold on Placement : 10000 Students Placed in last 5 year
IIPM's Management Consulting Arm-Planman Consulting
Professor Arindam Chaudhuri - A Man For The Society....
IIPM: Indian Institute of Planning and Management
IIPM makes business education truly global
Management Guru Arindam Chaudhuri
Rajita Chaudhuri-The New Age Woman
IIPM B-School Facebook Page
IIPM Global Exposure
IIPM Best B School India
IIPM B-School Detail
IIPM Links
An Initiative of IIPM, Malay Chaudhuri
and Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist).
For More IIPM Info, Visit below mentioned IIPM articles.
Zee Business Best B-School Survey 2012
Prof. Arindam Chaudhuri's Session at IMA Indore
IIPM IN FINANCIAL TIMES, UK. FEATURE OF THE WEEK
IIPM strong hold on Placement : 10000 Students Placed in last 5 year
IIPM's Management Consulting Arm-Planman Consulting
Professor Arindam Chaudhuri - A Man For The Society....
IIPM: Indian Institute of Planning and Management
IIPM makes business education truly global
Management Guru Arindam Chaudhuri
Rajita Chaudhuri-The New Age Woman
IIPM B-School Facebook Page
IIPM Global Exposure
IIPM Best B School India
IIPM B-School Detail
IIPM Links
