The event was held to tell the world that rhino horns are a mass of compacted hair sans medicinal value and that these rare animals should not be killed to acquire them based on myths
Hymns rent the air and amid the sound of conch shells blowing, 2,479 rhino horns, said to be the world’s largest such stockpile, were set on fire at Bokakhat in Assam on World Rhino Day on Sept 22.
Assam is home to the largest number of one-horned rhinos. As many as 50 horns that had court cases pending against them, are to be kept in treasuries while 94 will be kept aside for educational purposes.
These, weighing 1305 kilos, were either seized from poachers or recovered from dead rhinos in the national parks and wildlife sanctuaries since 1979. They were stored in 12 district treasuries. A natural history museum will be set up near the Kaziranga national park to keep the preserved pieces. All this was done with the intent to crush myths surrounding the activity of hunting for rhino horns. Pertinent to note here that the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 permits the destruction of wildlife parts (including rhino horn) under Section 39 (3).
Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, together with Government functionaries, lit remotely through drones, the six large iron pyres, made for the occasion, at a stadium located near Guwahati. The event was held to tell the world that rhino horns are a mass of compacted hair sans medicinal value and that these rare animals should not be killed to acquire them based on myths. “We should allow rhinos to live and grow naturally,” Sarma said. It is noteworthy that rhino horn is made up of keratin – the same protein that constitutes our hair and nails.
Of the ones burnt, 21 were found to be fake and the longest measured 57 cm and the heaviest weighed 3 kilos
Further it has come to light that Malaysia, Korea, China, Vietnam and even India has been using rhino horns for traditional medicine in case of rheumatism and gout. Also, their display for some denotes success and wealth
A world record of sorts, though in Africa too seized rhino horns have been burnt, the number has never been so big. It is important to note here that the government cannot earn money by selling rhino horns. Henceforth rhino horns seized or recovered from dead animals will be burnt and not stored, the chief minister said. The horns were cleaned, weighed, photographed, labeled with a unique barcode, DNA samples extracted and then they were packed and sealed in the presence of several people. The government wished to tell poachers through this action, that they should not target rhinos in Assam, according to forest minister Parimal Suklabaidya. Of the ones burnt, 21 were found to be fake and the longest measured 57 cm and the heaviest weighed 3 kilos.
Further it has come to light that Malaysia, Korea, China, Vietnam and even India has been using rhino horns for traditional medicine in case of rheumatism and gout. Also, their display for some denotes success and wealth.
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