NEW DELHI:
Lauding the efforts undertaken by the state to curb rhino poaching in Assam, Prime Minister Narendra Modi appealed to the people to collectively help the government to conserve wildlife and natural habitat.
“On the 22nd of September last year, on the occasion of World Rhino Day, more than 2400 horns seized from smugglers were burnt. This was a stern message to the poachers. The result of such efforts is that now there is a steady decrease in the hunting of rhinos in Assam. Where 37 rhinos were killed in 2013, 2 killings in 2020 and only 1 in 2021 have come to the fore. I appreciate the resolve of the people of Assam to save the rhinoceros,” said Modi, during his 85th episode of “Mann Ki Baat” on January 30.
Mentioning that rhinoceros occupy a prominent place in Assamese culture, he said that in the last seven years various anti-poaching activities have been launched by the state government to prevent the killings. During the course of his speech, Modi also mentioned about the need to preserve the rich biodiversity of Assam.
Modi further praised Riddhima Swargiyari – a Class 7 student from Guwahati – for expressing her thoughts on a “new India” through a postcard.
Stating that he has received more than one crore postcards from different parts of the country as well as abroad, Modi said, “…Like this one post card from Riddhima Swargiyari, a student of Class 7 from Guwahati. She wants to see India as the cleanest country in the world by our 100th Independence Day. She wants to see an India which is completely free of terrorism, included among the 100 per cent literate countries in the world, accident-free, and capable of providing food security with sustainable technology. Riddhima, what our daughters dream about the country, do come true.