A dirty business of poaching is being carried out in major Natural reserves of India. The famed Kaziranga national park in Assam reported killings of two one-horned rhinoceros in the past week. Poaching activity has been on the high over a period of time now.

The rhino once an endangered species has shown a rising trend in numbers mainly through conservation efforts. On the other hand, poaching has also been on the rise and caught the eye of everyone. The rhino is preyed for its horn in international market for its effectiveness in producing aphrodisiacs and traditional medicines. For a few people, rhino horn is a decorative item.

Five rhinos were killed in 2006 and seven in 2005.

According to the last rhino census in 2006, Kaziranga, (about 135 miles east of Guwahati) the capital of Assam has over 1,855 one-horned rhinos out of the estimated global population of some 3,000.

Rhinos and wild elephants often play spoilsport in the local fields, thus, the locals are under suspect because of the damage the rhino makes to their crops and in return they have to go without any kind of compensation.

The Assam Wildlife Crime Prevention Unit has recommended improvements in the infrastructure of the park. It has also suggested acquisition of new speed boats for guards to quickly navigate the streams that crisscross the reserve.

According to government figures, 650 one-horned rhinos have been killed in Kaziranga in the past 40 years. This is an alarming signal. Proper action is a must. Unless the killing spree comes down, its difficult to save the decreasing numbers of such a rare species.

via: YAHOO