Rhino horn verification process begins in Assam

Assam Government on 11 August 2016 started verification of rhino horns, stored in various treasuries since 1980. For this purpose, the government recently instituted a Rhino Horn Verification Committee. The 12-member committee headed by former forest officer and former Assam State Information Commissioner, Mohan Chandra Malakar will be responsible for verifying the genuineness of the rhino horns, which were

recovered in last three decades and stored in various treasuries. The other members of the committee includes four wildlife experts, two representatives from media, one RTI activist, one forensic scientist and four high officials of the state Forest department.

As per directive, the committee after visiting every treasury of Assam that stores horn will submit its report within 60 days. The rhino horns are scattered in 12 treasuries of Assam, maximum being in Golaghat followed by Nagaon, Guwahati and Tezpur.

Verification includes checking of genuineness and updating the complete inventory of rhino horns in the custody of Assam government.

The first treasury was opened at Golaghat, which has the highest number of rhino horns stored in government custody. As per reports, almost all these rhino horns are of Kaziranga National Park.

The trunks containing the Rhino Horns were carried in batches from the treasury to the Golaghat circuit house under heavy security. The authenticity of the horn will be verified at a filed lab set at the Golaghat circuit by the forensic experts. In case of suspicion, the particular horn would be referred to the experts of the State Forensic Laboratory.

Read more Current Affairs on: Rhino horn verification process , Rhino Horn Verification Committee , Mohan Chandra Malakar , Rhino horns , Assam ,Rhino horn verification process begins in Assam