Operation Falcon: Major Success in Combating Rhino Poaching in Assam

Significant Achievements of Operation Falcon

Guwahati, Aug 11: A total of 42 individuals have been apprehended, and several gangs with connections to international networks have been uncovered as part of ‘Operation Falcon’—a dedicated initiative aimed at curbing rhino poaching in Assam, which commenced last year.

On Monday, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma shared this progress via a video on a popular microblogging platform, praising the operation.

He stated that poachers have been pursued relentlessly, utilizing both ground and digital intelligence resources.

In his post on X, he remarked, “#OperationFalcon – dismantling the poaching and illegal wildlife trade,” while sharing a video highlighting the operation's achievements.

The video detailed that the operation has revealed inter-state and international connections, identifying six major poaching gangs involved in illegal trade routes through Myanmar, and successfully thwarting nine poaching attempts.

It was noted that 'Operation Falcon' is a joint effort between the Assam Police and the forest department.

Initiated in 2024, the program was a response to the killing of two rhinos, prompting a reevaluation of anti-poaching strategies.

Poachers have been pursued vigorously, employing extensive ground and digital intelligence for tracking.

In total, 42 poachers have been arrested across various districts: 18 in Biswanath, eight in Darrang, six in Nagaon, five in Karbi Anglong, two in Sonitpur, and one each in Udalguri, Dibrugarh, and Cachar.

The video concluded with a commitment that “Operation Falcon will persist until poaching is eradicated from Assam.”

The state's one-horned rhinos are often targeted by poachers for their horns, which are mistakenly believed to have medicinal properties, despite scientific evidence disproving such claims.