Kaziranga: ‘Operation Falcon’ has been a topic of discussion in Assam in recent times. Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma recently shared a video of this operation on social media and praised its success. The post read, ‘It is breaking the back of poaching and illegal animal trade.’ After his post, people became curious about what exactly is ‘Operation Falcon’?
What is Operation Falcon:
Operation Falcon is a special anti-poaching initiative led by the Director General of Police of Assam. A dedicated anti-poaching task force works. This task force has brought together police personnel, forest officials and agencies like Wildlife Crime Control Bureau. Dr. Sonali Ghosh, Field Director of Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve, said that the mission of the task force is to eliminate poaching networks and protect vulnerable wildlife.
When and why was it launched:
According to Dr. Ghosh, this special campaign has been active for the last 18 months. It gained momentum after the rhino poaching incident in Kaziranga in January 2024. “Instead of reacting after the incidents, we decided to be proactive,” he said. He further said that the forest department and police launched a crackdown by unearthing the poaching network. Using the intelligence gathered about the poachers, a massive crackdown was carried out.
Success achieved so far:
Intelligence-based operations have successfully foiled nine planned poaching attempts. The task force has arrested more than 42 people from various parts of the state. Weapons, ammunition and other incriminating material have been recovered from them.
Dr Ghosh said that earlier, there was an anti-rhino poaching task force covering rhino habitats like Kaziranga, Orang, Pobitora and Manas as well as the Karbi Anglong hills adjoining Kaziranga. The operations were carried out in districts surrounding these habitats
Wildlife smuggling network:
The poaching network was not limited to rhinos. “We were also seeing threats to elephants, tigers and other species. To ensure comprehensive protection, the task force focused on rhinos was reorganised into a comprehensive anti-poaching task force,” said Dr Sonali Ghosh. The focus is now on dismantling any wildlife smuggling network.
