Shillong, August 22 (NNN): Meghalaya Forest and Environment Minister, Lahkmen Rumbui said on Saturday that there is a decline in the number of poaching cases and unlike before, 96% of such cases are being reported now in the state.
“With the cooperation of civil societies and villages, poaching has reduced in the state,” the Forest Minister said.
Providing insight on the prevailing situation, Rymbui said that apart from the police, even the Customs Department have been authorised to take action against poaching.
Drawing attention towards the various instances of animals surfacing out of the forest during the lockdown, Rymbui informed that the Forest officials are working in cooperation with the civil societies and villages which has in turn reduced poaching. He observed that people are slowly becoming aware of the importance to safeguarding wildlife.
One of the hot biodiversity hotspots, Meghalaya is home to two national parks—the Balpakram National Park which spread across 220 sq km and the Nokrek National Park spreading across 47.48 sq km.
