Guwahati: Members of Village Defence Parties (VDPs), who have played a crucial role in protecting the endangered one-horned rhinoceros at Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary, were provided with essential field gear in a recent initiative in Assam’s Morigaon district.
The programme, aimed at enhancing the efforts of VDPs in wildlife protection, was held at Mayong police station, where 50 VDP members from 25 groups received torches and raincoats, according to a press release issued on Saturday.
The initiative, jointly organized by biodiversity conservation organization Aaranyak and the *Morigaon District Police, with support from the **David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation (DSWF), focuses on addressing human-wildlife conflict and preventing poaching in the sanctuary.
*District Superintendent of Police (SP) Hemanta Kumar Das highlighted that this gear would aid VDP members in their patrolling and monitoring efforts, particularly during the rainy season when the risk of poaching and human-rhino conflict is higher.
Additional Superintendent of Police Dhrubajyoti Nath emphasized that the initiative would help mitigate conflicts between local residents and wildlife, particularly rhinos.
During the event, VDP members shared experiences of dealing with rhino-related conflicts, including a recent incident in which a man was tragically killed by a rhinoceros.
SP Das also discussed strategies to reduce such incidents, suggesting the need for a better understanding of animal behavior and the implementation of precautionary measures to minimize risks to both humans and wildlife.
Aaranyak’s Secretary General Bibhab Kumar Talukdar praised the VDP members, stating that their vigilance had successfully prevented poaching in the sanctuary over the past eight years.
Talukdar noted that Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary, spanning 38.85 sq km, holds the highest density of one-horned rhinos, with its grassland and wetland habitats offering ideal conditions for the species.
The ongoing collaboration between the Morigaon police, conservationists, and the local community serves as a model for wildlife protection and conflict mitigation, ensuring that the sanctuary remains a safe haven for rhinos.
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