Environmental NGOs criticise forest policy

Assam Environmental NGO Forum organised a press meet at Guwahati Press Club on February 13 to clarify its stand on the unabated killing of rhinos and other wild animals in the state. Addressing the media personnel, Mubina Akhtar,noted nature lover and coordinator of Assam Environmental NGO Forum strongly criticised wrong government forest policy. She said AK series weapon could never solve the problem in the state without sound forest policy. According to her killing of 7 rhinos in just 35 days enough to justify the grave situation in Assam. She remarked that funds available from international sources must be utilized with transparency. “How could experts from France or Germany without understanding biodiversity of NE solve our problems?” She asked. High ranking forest officials of Assam had hardly been interested in the matter of conservation and had been busy with construction works or import of gadgets from abroad involving huge public money. She declared that Forum would arrange sending of 5000 posters to PM India by children of Assam to give priority in the matter of putting an end to poaching of rhino,tiger or wild elephant.The forum also demanded implementaion CBI probe in the rhino poaching as promised by Assam CM.

Bibhab Talukdar of Aranyak also expressed serious concern at the regular deaths of rhinos in the so called most protected National Parks of the world. He welcomed new acts and ordinances of government but at the same time warned government for proper implementation of them.He thanked low ranking forest officials and criticised government for not rewarding them in public.Saumya Deep Dutta of Nature's Beckom also criticised government and a few national and International NGOs working in NE.Jayanta Kumar Das of Green Society,Udalguri government and media had been giving all attention to Kaziranga and Manas national parks there by neglecting other Wildlife Sanctuaries or Reserve Forests.He requested government to involve local people in the line of VDP services to stop poaching and illegal tree felling. Sujit Bairagi requested government to involve BTC and Karbi autonomous councils in the process of controlling poaching of rhino,wild elephant and tigers. The press meet was also addressed by Debananda Borah of Early Birds and Raj Phukan of Green Guard.