Fifteen notorious wildlife poachers, who were creating havoc in Manas Biosphere area, surrendered before the Assam Forest and Wildlife Department officials in Chirang district of the state. Divisional forest officer of Chirang district, B N Patiri informed that the poachers surrendered at Kuklung Range of Manas Biosphere Reserve area and deposited 15 rifles. The poachers who have been assured of rehabilitation by the department, pledged to work in coordination with the authority for protection of precious flora and fauna of the area. The forest official informed that 30 woodcutters who were involved in rampant illegal cutting of trees inside the forest, also surrendered before the forest authority today. Manas Biosphere area, bordering Bhutan and West Bengal, is known for its precious wildlife resources including elephants, deers, tigers, wild boars, a large number of Asiatic buffaloes, besides varied species of in situ and migratory birds. The UNESCO declared the park a World Heritage Site in Danger after poachers, in collusion with Bodo militants, ran riot inside the picturesque national park that took a heavy toll on its zoological and botanical resources. According to a forest official, the incumbent rulers in the Bodoland Territorial Autonomous District Council (BTADC) had launched an intensive effort to woo fringe villagers to cooperate with the Forest and Wildlife Authority to protect the rich bio-diversity of the area. The authority in coordination with NGOs had launched a widespread awareness drive among local tribal populace, highlighting the need for protection of wildlife.