Significant conservation move in India : poachers surrender in Assam, TRAFFIC India offers support

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TRAFFIC

India helps poachers surrender

 

*New Delhi, India, 4 December 2009*—six hardcore poachers from north-eastern

India have surrendered during a ceremony organized by TRAFFIC India on 26

November 2009 at Bansbari, Assam.

 

The poachers turned themselves in with six firearms, three deer antlers and

two deer skins along with traps and nets to Sh. Khampha Bargayari, Dy Chief,

Bodo Territorial Council (BTC).

 

The poachers operated in and around Manas National Park and most were known

to be active in the region. Between them they are said to have killed two

Tigers, a Rhinoceros and three Asian Elephants in recent years.

 

Their surrender is a boost to conservation effort in the region, where

poaching is common place. In October 2009, three poachers were arrested,

based on information provided to the Forest Department through an

intelligence network established by TRAFFIC India. Two poachers were shot

dead in Orang the same month.

 

Earlier, apprehended individuals had indicated that active poachers in

Kaziranga, Orang, Pobitaro and Manas were interested in changing their ways

and surrendering if support for an alternative source of livelihood could be

provided.

 

This led to co-operation between TRAFFIC India and BTC to identify the

relevant individuals, resulting in the recent surrender.

 

Sh. Khampha Bargayari, Dy Chief of BTC said at the surrender ceremony “In

the coming year, BTC plans to budget a rehabilitation programme for the

surrendered poachers where they will be provided employment at dairy farms

and co-operative stores set up by BTC.â€

 

Mr Samir Sinha, Head-TRAFFIC India said, “We are hopeful that the surrender

of these poachers will set a positive example for all others operating in

the area. This is surely a step ahead in our mission to curb illegal

wildlife trade.

 

“TRAFFIC India and WWF-India have been working with the Assam Forest

Department on various conservation issues in the past and we hope our

association with the department will help make significant contributions

towards conservation of species in the wild.â€

 

For any further information, please contact Col. N G Sitlhou or Dilpreet B.

Chhabra at 011-41504786/43516290.

 

Regards

 

Programme Officer

TRAFFIC India

WWF India Secretariat

172-B, Lodi Estate, New Delhi 110003, India

Tel: +91-11-41504786, Fax: +91-11-43516200

Visit us at " www.traffic.org "

 

TRAFFIC- the wildlife trade monitoring network- is a joint programme of WWF

and IUCN-The World Conservation Union. It works to ensure that trade in wild

plants and animals is not a threat to conservation of nature.