Assam forest minister instructs officials to protect wildlife

Guwahati: Assam forest minister Atuwa Munda on Saturday instructed to officials of the department to take all actions to protect wild life including poaching incidents in the state.

The state forest minister said that, the department had taken measures to stop rhino poaching incidents and protect wild life.

"I had already instructed to all forest officials to take Stern action against poachers and illegal activities, " Atuwa Munda said.

On Friday, the police had seized an illegal timber laden truck and apprehended two persons in upper Assam's Tinsukia district along with Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border and later police handed the seizing timbers to forest department.

"I had instructed to DFO and SP of Tinsukia district to take stern action against the illegal activities, " the state forest minister said.

The minister on February 8 will discuss a crucial meeting with security officials and forest officials in Kaziranga to stop increasing rhino poaching incidents.

Poachers had killed at least six one horned rhinoceros including five alone in Kaziranga National Park in this year so far.

By: Hemanta Kumar Nath