Assam: 57 Poachers of Raimona National Park surrender
57 poachers of Raimona National Park surrendered to Bodoland Territorial Council of Assam
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Assam, September 23: 57 poachers of the Raimona National Park surrendered to the Bodoland Territorial Council / BTC of Assam. The poachers surrendered on the occasion of World Rhino Day and were presented with a cheque of Rs. 50,000 each to help sustain their livelihood.
Rhino horns are used in traditional Chinese medicine to cure ‘ailments’ like cancer, and also as an aphrodisiac. The horn, which is shaved or powdered and dissolved in boiling water, is used to treat fever, rheumatism, gout, etc. Having a rhino horn is considered to be a status symbol.
Pramod Boro, the Chief Executive Member of the BTC said, “57 poachers surrendered along with arms in a village near Raimona National Park. They were given cheques of Rs. 50,000 each. More financial support is being given. We urge others to surrender. Ever since Raimona has been declared to be a national park, the poachers do not want to hunt anymore and therefore are surrendering. To honor their step and to protect their livelihood, the government is planning to further give an amount of Rs. 1. 20 lakhs for setting up a new business.”
He also said that 2 handloom factories will also be set up in the area to offer employment.
On the occasion of World Rhino Day, the Assam government, on Wednesday, burned 2,479 rhino horns to bust myths associated with it and prevent poaching of rhinos.
Rhino horns are used in traditional Chinese medicine to cure ‘ailments’ like cancer, and also as an aphrodisiac. The horn, which is shaved or powdered and dissolved in boiling water, is used to treat fever, rheumatism, gout, etc. Having a rhino horn is considered to be a status symbol.
Also Read | Assam govt burns around 2500 rhino horns, sends strong message to poachers
Due to this, poaching of rhinos is widely prevalent in the state. Hence, Assam government has decided to burn horns to send a message - that it is not medicine.
The rhino horns were burnt at Bokakhat, Assam’s Golaghat district, near Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve. 94 horns were still preserved for academic purposes.