The poaching of rhinos is one of the most ruthless and dangerous activities against wildlife in which they are illegally trafficked and killed for their horns. 

Single-horn rhinos across Asian countries are poached and their horns are sold to make medicines to be simply kept or ‘gifted’ as a symbol of status and wealth. 

© iStock

A few days ago, in a conservation effort by the Assam government, 2479 horns of single-horned rhinos were burned to ash to save the species from brutality and send across a strong message against the practice of poaching. 

Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma led the consignment on World Rhino Day, 22 September 2021 to condemn and discourage rhino poachers. 

© Twitter/Himanta Biswa Sarma

He shared the pictures of the ‘daha sanskar’ of thousands of rhinos illegally killed for their horns and credited PM Narendra Modi for this. 

He wrote, “Today is a historic day for Assam & India. We have taken an extraordinary step of burning stockpile of 2479 horns of single-horned Rhinos, first-of-its-kind globally in volume terms, pursuing vision of Hon PM Sri @narendramodi of putting an end to poaching in Assam.”

Today is a historic day for Assam & India. We have taken an extraordinary step of burning stockpile of 2479 horns of single-horned Rhinos, first-of-its-kind globally in volume terms, pursuing vision of Hon PM Sri @narendramodi of putting an end to poaching in Assam 1/2@PMOIndia pic.twitter.com/4SuN0XuCWB

PM Modi retweeted the post and vowed to carry out steps for preserving rhinos. “Commendable effort by Team Assam. The One-Horned Rhino is India’s pride and all steps will be taken for its well-being,” he wrote. 

© Instagram/Narendra Modi

Many lauded the efforts of the Assam Government and PM Modi including the South African cricket commentator Kevin Pietersen who is a wildlife conservationist himself.

© Instagram/Kevin Pietersen

He took to Twitter to laud PM Modi’s efforts and called him a ‘hero’ whose steps other leaders should follow.  

He wrote “Thank you, @narendramodi! A global leader standing up for the planets rhino species! If only more leaders would do the same. And this is the reason why rhino numbers in India are rising exponentially! What a hero!”  

Thank you, @narendramodi! A global leader standing up for the planets rhino species!
If only more leaders would do the same.
And this is the reason why rhino numbers in India are rising exponentially!
What a hero! https://t.co/6ol4df0NpV

Kevin Pietersen has been fighting for the conservation of rhinos for many years now.  

He realised the rhinos of Africa and Asia are losing habitat and are poached for their horns. This prompted him to take steps to save the animal, like setting up a foundation called Saving Our Rhinos Africa & India (SORAI).

© Instagram/Kevin Pietersen

He was impressed by the conservation efforts by the Indian government led by PM Modi and thus, thanked him publicly for his work and vision towards the planet, which is great! 

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