How is Operation Falcon Shaping the Anti-Poaching Efforts in Assam?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Operation Falcon is a vital initiative to combat rhino poaching in Assam.
- Joint efforts between Assam Police and the Forest Department are critical to the operation's success.
- Advanced tracking methods have led to significant arrests.
- There is a recognized interstate and international nexus involved in rhino poaching.
- The government is committed to eradicating poaching entirely.
Guwahati, Aug 11 (NationPress) Assam's Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma applauded the achievements of “Operation Falcon”, a pivotal anti-poaching initiative launched in 2024 aimed at safeguarding the renowned one-horned rhinoceros in Kaziranga National Park.
This operation is a collaborative effort between the Assam Police and the Forest Department, utilizing every available resource to locate and capture poachers active in and around the park.
Official reports indicate that this crackdown resulted in arrests across multiple districts: one in Udalguri, eight in Darrang, six in Nagaon, eighteen in Biswanath, one in Dibrugarh, two in Sonitpur, five in Karbi Anglong, and one in Cachar.
Authorities revealed that the poachers were tracked through a blend of extensive ground intelligence and advanced digital surveillance, allowing law enforcement to accurately target their operations.
Investigations stemming from Operation Falcon unveiled a broader criminal network that extends beyond Assam's borders.
Officials identified six significant rhino poaching syndicates linked to the illegal wildlife trade that is routed through Myanmar.
The Chief Minister stated that this finding validated the presence of an organized interstate and international conspiracy fueling rhino poaching in the area.
Importantly, the ongoing operation has successfully thwarted nine poaching attempts thus far, protecting the park’s rhino population from further threats.
“The teamwork and determination of our forces have guaranteed that these offenders face justice,” CM Sarma shared on X.
He attributed the successes of the past few months to the collaboration between law enforcement and forest officials.
Kaziranga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, hosts the highest population of the one-horned rhinoceros globally and has long been a target for poachers eager to profit from the significant black-market value of rhino horns.
The state government has ramped up its efforts in recent years, combining stringent enforcement measures with technological advancements.
CM Sarma emphasized that Operation Falcon will remain operational until poaching is entirely eradicated from Assam, highlighting the government’s zero-tolerance stance on wildlife crime.
“Our promise is to guarantee the absolute safety of Kaziranga’s rhinos,” he affirmed, reiterating that the battle against poaching will persist without relent.