The officials will meet the heads of families of about 25 villages. ?We will tell them that we need them for the betterment of the park,? Rabha said. According to the director, people?s support is essential to check poaching.

?The people are the best source. They see the poachers first and can inform the authorities,? he said.

?Moreover, the people also use the forest for their livelihood. We will have to tell them they can use the park without destroying anything,? he added.

The officials will also distribute pamphlets among the people and make audio-visual presentations on the park.

?The exercise is similar to politicians seeking votes. The only difference is that the officials will seek people?s support for better conservation,? another official of the park said.

The Unesco?s World Heritage Committee had observed at its 30th session in Lithuania recently that a better security situation at Manas National Park was now permitting reintroduction of rhinos, though on an experimental basis initially.

Georgina Peard, world heritage officer at the International Union for Conservation of Nature, said in an email that depending on the feedback on Manas, the committee would re-examine the situation next year and consider whether it could take the site off the present list and put it back in the World Heritage Site list.

The committee had also noted that ?tourists ? domestic ones as well as those from abroad ? are increasingly visiting Manas wildlife sanctuary and the site has high potential for eco-tourism. The increased involvement of local people and NGOs in conservation and management efforts at Manas is welcome?.