AASU concerned over situation of national parks, sanctuaries

The All Assam Students Union (AASU) today expressed concern over the situation of all National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries in the current floods and demanded adequate measures to stop mass deaths of wild animals, including one-horned rhinos due to the calamity.
A high-level team of the students led by its President Dipankar Nath today visited Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary in Morigaon district and expressed apprehension over the plight of wild animals as well as forest protection staff there.
The team feared that there is every possibility of casualty of rhinos, buffaloes etc in the Sanctuary which has the highest density of rhinos in the world.

The AASU President claimed before reporters that the wildlife protection staff at Pobitora have been performing their duties without proper food, drinking water and above all without logistical support.
Further, the wildlife protection staff are not getting even their remuneration on time, alleged the AASU President.
"Though both Kaziranga National Park and Pobitora WL sanctuary are completely under water and all the wild animals including one-horned rhinos are under starvation, the forest department is playing the role of mute spectators. There will be mass casualty of wild animals if this situation goes on," Nath said.
The AASU also criticised the top brass of forest department of state government accusing them of failing to take care of the forest guards.

The AASU demanded that the Forest and Environment Ministry of Central government take appropriate steps to protect the flora and fauna in this unprecedented situation.