NAGAON, July 31: "Although 35 Rhino have been killed by the poachers since March 31, 2006 to 2008 yet Rhino population in Asom have increased to 1,855 as per the census done in the year 2006, ' Forest Minister Rockybul Hussain said. The Minister also said that in the meantime all possible stern and affective measures have been taken from the Government against the poachers for protecting the rhinos and all other forest wealth and inmate animals. According to Minister Hussain in four different National Park of the state, including KNP, Rajiv Gandhi Orang National Park, Manas National Park and Pabitora Wildlife Sanctuary, the population of rhino increased to 1, 855 in 2006 against the number of rhinos of 1,551 of the year 1999. The Minister also said, while nine rhinos were killed by some poachers in the year 2006. Hussain said that there is a superstition that rhino horn is use for medicinal and ornamental purpose and have high demand in China, Nepal, Thailand, Hongkong and south Korea, and for the same reason rhinos were killed by the poachers to supply to those country. He further said, for killing rhinos 32 poachers were arrested in 2005, 25 poachers in 2006, 27 in 2007 and 33 in January this year.