The officials of Kaziranga National Park, Assam, have been issued satellite phones to assist in countering poaching and ensuring coordinated management. This is one of its kind moves for the welfare of the wildlife and the state. Mr Jishnu Barua, Chief Secretary (Assam) handed over 10 satellite phones to the forest personnel of the park, giving a start to a whole new movement. This decision was taken under the presence of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Minister for Environment and Forest Parimal Suklabaidya, Minsters- Keshab Mahanta and Atul Bora, the director at Kaziranga, deputy commissioners of adjoining districts, and other senior forest officials.
Kaziranga National Park spreads over an area of 430 sq km and is divided into six ranges in upper Assam which has a few spots with poor or no connectivity. The satellite phones draw signals from satellites expanding their connectivity even to remote areas. This move is an aid to anti-poaching measures undertaken by the park officials. Around 10 satellite phones were procured by the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) with BSNL being the service provider. The park authorities will have to bear the monthly charges, though. The forest personnel have been trained by the BSNL to operate the phones in areas where there is no connectivity of normal phones. This will help in dealing with the communication barrier in the park, especially the remote areas. The satellite phones will help provide an edge over the poacher as well as during emergencies.
