What changed in Kaziranga National Park after PM Modi took charge of Nation?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve (KNPTR) in Assam today. No other PM of the country has ever visited this Unesco World Heritage Site before. He arrived at Kaziranga on Friday evening for a two-day visit to the state.

During the trip, Modi engaged with 'Van Durga' members, the team of women forest guards at the forefront of conservation efforts, elephant mahouts, and forest officials. "Not only is Kaziranga known for its rhinos, but it also houses a large number of elephants and several other species," the PM tweeted.

During his safari, the Prime Minister engaged in various activities, including feeding elephants and spotting the majestic one-horned rhino, symbolizing the central government’s dedication to wildlife conservation.

Since 2014, the government has implemented a series of measures aimed at curbing rhino poaching. These include enhanced surveillance with drones, deployment of additional forest guards, and the use of technology for real-time monitoring. The park has also seen infrastructural improvements, with better facilities for both the animals and the tourists.

Moreover, the government has taken steps to improve the legal framework, ensuring stricter penalties for wildlife crimes. The collaboration with international conservation bodies has been strengthened to bring global expertise to Kaziranga.

Rhino killings declined since 2019

For the first time in nearly half a century, Assam achieved a remarkable conservation milestone in 2022 by reporting no incidents of rhino poaching. This success is attributed to the concerted efforts of forest and police departments, marking a significant victory for wildlife protection in the region.

From 2000 to 2021, the state witnessed the poaching of 191 rhinos, driven by the high demand for rhino horns, which are mistakenly believed to have medicinal properties in some cultures. The years 2013 and 2014 saw the peak of this crisis, with 27 rhinos killed each year. However, the numbers dropped significantly to just two incidents each in 2020 and 2021.

The achievement of zero poaching cases in 2022, a feat not seen since 1977, reflects the effectiveness of the strategies and collaboration between various enforcement agencies in Assam.

Area of Kaziranga Increased

The original size of Kaziranga National Park (KNP) was 430 square kilometers when it was established in 1974. Through 10 extensions, it has now expanded to cover a vast area of 914 square kilometers. In 2022, an additional 452 hectares of land on the northern bank of the Brahmaputra River will be added to KNP, creating a safer habitat for wildlife during the monsoon season.

With Assam's approval to add over 3000 hectares of land to KNP, residents living near the park are worried about facing evictions. While park authorities and conservationists believe that expanding the park's area will enhance the survival chances of animals during floods and prevent poaching, locals see it as a threat to their homes.

Since its declaration as a national park in 1974, several extensions have been made to KNP, often sparking controversy over land acquisition.

According to a 2022 census, Kaziranga National Park has 2,613 rhinos. This is about 70% of the world's one-horned rhinos. The census was conducted in March 2018 by the Forest Department of the Government of Assam and some wildlife NGOs. The census found 1,670 adults, 365 sub-adults, 279 juveniles, and 146 calves.

Kaziranga is home to both white and black rhinos. The Assam National Park Act of 1968 established Kaziranga as a national park, and UNESCO declared it a world heritage site in 1985.

Special Rhino Protection Force

The change was made possible after the state BJP government in 2019 decided to constitute a Special Rhino Protection Force to keep a close tab on poaching and its related activities, especially the Kaziranga National Park - home to these majestic creatures. 

On the 1st of July, 2019, Kaziranga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, witnessed the deployment of the inaugural batch of the Special Rhino Protection Force (SRPF). Comprising 82 constables, including 74 men and eight women, this force is dedicated solely to the safeguarding of the one-horned rhinoceros.

After completing an intensive 43-week training program, the constables were officially inducted in a ceremony at the 9th Assam Police Battalion in Nagaon and immediately commenced their conservation duties within the park.

The SRPF, modeled after the Assam Forest Protection Force established in 1986, was created through a joint initiative by the central and state governments under the auspices of the National Tiger Conservation Authority. The force’s primary mission is the protection of rhinos, with the provision that members may transition to the AFPF upon reaching 40 years of age.

Human costs

PM Narendra Modi has recently drawn attention to the thriving population of the one-horned rhinoceros in the country. Accounting for over 70% of the global population, these rhinos are primarily sheltered in Kaziranga National Park.

The park’s census indicates a commendable increase in rhino numbers. However, this success has been shadowed by controversy due to the aggressive anti-poaching measures, including the authorization for rangers to shoot poachers on sight.

The policy has led to unintended consequences, including harm to local villagers, sparking debate over the ethical balance between wildlife conservation and human rights.

In a letter addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Pranab Doley, a youth leader representing the community of Bokakhat displaced by Kaziranga National Park, has highlighted pressing issues surrounding displacement and alleged human rights violations in the region.

Expressing respect and greetings, Doley highlighted the significant role played by local inhabitants as stewards of the land surrounding Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve. However, amidst the festivities accompanying the Prime Minister's visit, Doley lamented the heavy presence of armed personnel and heightened security measures, likening the atmosphere to an Orwellian scenario.

Questioning the unequal media coverage, Doley spotlighted the overlooked issues of displacement and human rights abuses. He highlighted the struggles of marginalized communities such as forced evictions and land rights violations, contrasting the state officials' claims of progress and development.

The situation calls for a nuanced approach to conservation, one that integrates the well-being and involvement of local communities rather than alienating them. The recent establishment of a dugong conservation reserve with community support is a step in the right direction, yet it underscores the need for more such inclusive initiatives.

Private hotels and resorts on wildlife corridor

Private hotels and resorts are encroaching on the wildlife corridor near Kaziranga National Park. Presently, there are four government tourist lodges at Kohora and three lodges within the park, while more than 21 private hotels operate outside its borders.

Apart from this, concerns have been raised regarding the construction of the Grand Hyatt hotel on Adivasi/tea tribal land without consultation or compensation. Questions arise about the feasibility of erecting a five-star hotel with 120 rooms on farmland previously utilized by elephants as their corridor.

Furthermore, there's unease about the transformation of farmlands into commercial plots by major hotel chains like the Grand Hyatt, Taj Hotels, Vaani Greens, IORA, Borgos, Mandu, Royal de Casa, etc. Despite the supposed protection by the forest department and revenue office, reports indicate hills have been levelled and walls erected, destroying natural water sources.

In October 2021, The Hindu reported that the Supreme Court’s Central Empowered Committee directed the Assam government to dismantle illegal constructions on eight of the nine wildlife corridors in Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve. This action came after the Union environment ministry flagged several new structures on the corridors, breaching a Supreme Court order from April 2019.

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