Assam Environment and Forest Minister Parimal Suklabaidya on Wednesday informed that at least 22 one-horned rhinoceros were killed by poachers in Assam in the last five years.
In a written reply to a query by AIUDF MLA Sirajuddin Ajmal, Environment and Forest Minister Parimal Suklabaidya said in the state legislative assembly that 22 rhinos were poached during the period, of which, nine rhinos were killed in 2017, followed by seven in 2018, three in 2019, two in 2020, and one in 2021,
The data presented by the government, however, showed that the number of such poaching incidents is decreasing every year.
Altogether, 644 poachers have been arrested till June 1, and 25 cases were registered against them.
"After proper inquiry, arrests of poachers are made… The Assam government has constituted 10 fast-track session courts for speedy trials of wildlife-related crimes," the minister said.