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First phase of IRV 2020 a great success, says PCCF, Assam

Under the Indian Rhino Vision 2020 (IRV2020) plan about 3,000 wild rhinos are to be translocated in seven protected areas of Assam by the year 2020. This was disclosed to a group of journalists, who visited the Manas National Park on April 12 last, to have a glance of first batch of translocated rhinos from Pabitora Wildlife Sanctuary in Morigaon district, under the scheme. Two rhinos were brought to Manas National Park from the Pabitora on 12th morning. IRV 2020 is an ambitious programme of the Government of Assam in collaboration with World Wildlife Foundation India supported by the International Rhino Foundation and the US Fish and Wildlife Service. Its main objective is to increase the population of rhinos along with its improved security. Rhinos are Assam's pride and this programme would help ensure that the Indian rhinos thrive here for years to come.

Briefing the media persons, the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Assam, M C Malakar said that translocation of rhinos, which includes selection, tranquilization, transportation and final release involved lots of risk. To ensure the rhinos' safety, the trans-locations have followed regulations and IUCN protocols. For this purpose a task force was constituted by the State government in June 2004. He said that two assessment groups, namely Habitat and Security assessment groups were formed by the task force. After the reports submitted by these two groups were found to be satisfactory, the task force decided to translocate some 30-40 rhinos to Manas National Park both from Pabitora and Kaziranga National Park. The Union government accorded its sanction for the scheme and a translocation core committee was constituted which entrusted various activities involved with the translocation exercise to various sub-committees.

Malakar appreciated the cooperation extended by the local people and the NGOs without which the success of the programme was not possible.

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Daya Nath Singh's picture

Journalist; Guwahati Press Club office Secretary

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