Guwahati, Nov 17 (IANS): Union Science and Technology Minister Harsh Vardhan Monday asked the Assam forest department to submit a scientific proposal to stop poaching of one-horned rhinos and protect the species in the state.

The minister said this while visiting the Institute of Advanced Studies in Science and Technology in Boragaon area of the city.

Harsh Vardhan, who reached Assam Saturday, visited the famous Kaziranga National Park Sunday.

"We should use science and the acumen of the youth to make things better as far as the issue of protection of wildlife is concerned and stop poaching of rhinos," he said.

"I have asked the forest department to give me a proposal to stop poaching and protect wildlife using science and technology," he told newsmen after visiting the science and technology institute.

Over 25 rhinos have been killed in Assam this year -- 23 in the high-security Kaziranga park alone.

While the state government has taken many steps to stop poaching, the killings continue in various protected areas of Assam.

According to statistics from the forest department, Assam has lost 193 rhinos since 2001 due to poaching.

At a function at the North East Institute of Science and Technology in Jorhat district Saturday, Harsh Vardhan said the central government was trying to document the impact of climate change on the ecosystem and biodiversity of the northeast region.