by Bhupen Goswami

GUWAHATI : Assam authorities said, more than 500 national forest poachers surrendered their weapons at Chirang in Bodoland Regional Region (BTR) in western Assam today. Officials said that in response to the appeal of the Bodoland Regional Council (BTC) administration, the Assam government, more than 500 poachers, wood cutters, deposited their arms ammunition at a function in Bangalore.

BTC executive member Ranjit Basumstari said that the felling of valuable trees, deforestation, surrender of this large number of national forest wood cutters directly involved in the killing of wild animals, is considered an important step in protecting the national forest areas wildlife.He said a drive will be launched to move away from nationalprotected forests soon before all people living inside forest areas will be shifted. Basumstari said that poachers, wood cutters have deposited 254 handmade guns, a large quantity of explosives, 82 wooden ammunition. He announced that rs 50,000 would be provided to each predators wood cutter and they would be provided skill development training. We first appealed to the poachers to surrender to the wood cutter and deposit their arms ammunition.

In response to our call, they have accumulated their arms ammunition in BTR, making a history in protecting forest wildlife.Several other BTC executive members were present at the first dedication ceremony of their kind in Assam. On the occasion of World Rhino Day on September 22, 57 poachers surrendered their weapons wildlife parts near Raymona National Park in BTR, including four western Assam districts of Chirang, Buxa, Udalguri Kokrajhar, bordering Bhutan West Bengal. Pramod Boro, chief executive member of BTC managing BTR, also gave financial assistance to poachers who decided to quit poaching and do alternative business