Assam Forest department measures to protect Kaziranga

Efforts are on to raise a separate battalion of the force and a new range office in the Northern part of the Park, Forest Minister Rockybul Hussain said in the state assembly yesterday.

Poaching has been made a non-bailable offence with those committing such crimes being sentenced to life term while forest guards are being equipped with AK-series rifles to counter poachers.

The state government would initiate talks with the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) to bring the areas of the Park under the Council within the Park's administration to ensure the protection of animals which usually move to neighbouring Karbi Hills during floods.

Hussain claimed there was no encroachment in the core areas of the Park and the encroachments which have been reported are under the second annexure while the third and fifth annexure were yet to be handed over to the forest department by the revenue.