After Hollywood actor and climate activist Leonardo DiCaprio showered praise on the Assam government's efforts to end poaching of one-horned rhinos in the Kaziranga National Park, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday invited the Oscar-winning Hollywood star to visit the state.
In an Instagram post on Thursday, the actor said: "In 2021, the government of the Indian state of Assam set out to end the poaching of the Endangered Greater One-Horned Rhinoceros in Kaziranga National Park following the killing of around 190 animals for their horns between 2000 and 2021. In 2022, they met their goal and no rhinos were poached in the area for the first time since 1977.
"Kaziranga National Park is home to 2,200 greater one-horned rhinos, which is about two-thirds of the world's population. This triumph in India also comes with more good news, as WWF also reports that the world population of the rare rhino soared to around 3,700 from about 200 at the turn of the 20th century."
Taking to Twitter on Friday in response, the Chief Minister said: "Preserving wildlife is integral to our cultural identity. We are dedicated to persevering and safeguarding our rich cultural heritage.
"Thank you for your kind words, @LeoDiCaprio, and I extend a warm invitation to you to visit Kaziranga and Assam."
The Kaziranga National Park witnessed only one case of rhino poaching in the year 2021 -- the lowest figure in 21 years.
From 2000 to 2015, a total of 153 poaching cases were registered.
Assam houses the highest population of one-horned rhinos in India.
Out of 2,657 rhinos, 2,413 live in Kaziranga National Park.
No booksellers or publishers from Bangladesh to participate in Agartala Book Fair
Amidst the unrest followed by the political changes in Bangladesh, no booksellers or publishers from the neighbouring country will participate in the Agartala Book Fair, beginning from Thursday, officials said.
Manipur govt to provide collateral-free loans up to Rs 50,000 to violence displaced people: CM
The Manipur government would provide collateral-free loans up to Rs 50,000 to the ethnic violence displaced people under the Chief Minister’s Entrepreneurship Support Scheme (CMESS), Chief Minister N. Biren Singh announced here on Tuesday.
Manipur govt announces 7 pc DA hike for employees
Announcing the DA, Chief Minister N. Biren Singh said that the Dearness Allowance (DA) for government employees shall be increased from 32 per cent to 39 per cent with effect from January 1, 2025.
Narcotics valued at Rs 15 crore seized from Assam, two arrested
Assam Police foiled an interstate drug peddling attempt and seized narcotics worth Rs 15 crore, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Sunday. The operation was carried out in the Cachar district which is neighbouring two states - Manipur and Mizoram.
PM-Kusum scheme to enhance crop production, double farmers’ income; Union Minister Prahlad Joshi visits Charilam
The Union Minister for renewable energy Prahlad Joshi on Sunday visited the renewable energy plant in Charilam block in Sepahijala district of the state and interacted with the local beneficiaries.
Govt approves scheme to enhance food storage space in NE states: Pralhad Joshi
Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Pralhad Joshi on Sunday said that the government has recently approved a Private Enterprise Guarantee (PEG) scheme for enhancing storage space in northeastern states.
100 Bangladeshi, Rohingyas held in 5 months at Agartala railway station alone
Around 100 infiltrators including 87 Bangladeshi nationals were arrested during the past five months at the Agartala railway station alone, while hundreds of other intruders from across the border were nabbed in different places of Tripura, officials said here on Friday.
Minister Sudhangshu Das pitches for fishery and livestock rearing to become self-reliant; chairs review meeting
The state animal resource development department (ARDD) Sudhangshu Das on Thursday chaired a west Tripura district level review meeting on various developmental schemes under the SC Welfare, ARDD and Fishery department here in the conference hall of the District Magistrate of West Tripura district.