Assam Governor Padmanabha Balakrishna Acharya on Monday urged the Tarun Gogoi-led Congress government in the State to engage “another agency” to curb rhino poaching in the Kaziranga National Park if the present mechanism was inadequate.
Earlier, addressing the Assembly, he said “firm steps to protect wildlife have been taken by the government” and “the overall population of rhinoceros has increased to 2,544 in the year 2013 from 2,201 in the year 2009.” His address, however, was cut short when the entire Opposition shouted that the State government had failed on all fronts.
“If they cannot stop rhino poaching, then we should get another agency. I am very much concerned about rhinos,” said the Governor. “A small group of criminals are challenging the government. How can you tolerate this?” He was speaking to journalists after meeting Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi.
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On Sunday the Governor had summoned Environment and Forest Minister Atuwa Munda and Director of the Kaziranga Park M.K. Yadava over the unabated poaching of rhinos. While Mr. Munda was away in Nagaon, Mr. Yadava called on the Governor and apprised him of the anti-poaching measures taken by the park authorities.
“I wanted to know what is lacking. The director briefed me about the situation. If he is not in a position to prevent killings, then he should quit gracefully. We will appoint another agency,” the Governor said.
The Chief Minister reacted sharply on Sunday to the Governor’s action. Everyone, be it the President, the Governor or the Chief Minister, had a constitutional limit and had to function within it, he said. According to him, the Centre’s cooperation was essential to curb the menace.
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The Governor on Monday said he had discussed the matter with the Chief Minister and asked him whether he (the Governor) had crossed the line. Mr. Acharya said: “Mr. Gogoi clarified that he did not mean it that way. There are no differences with the Chief Minister on the issue of protecting rhinos. I have urged him to take strong action against poachers. I was only trying to bring it to the notice of the State government.”
The Chief Minister, on the other hand, said his government was equally serious about protecting rhinos. “We are also very concerned. Prakash Javadekar [Union Environment and Forest Minister] had come and given a lot of assurances. But nothing has happened after that. The poachers are from outside the State. Besides, they have links with extremists. The State government alone cannot solve this problem and the Centre must extend cooperation,” said Mr. Gogoi.