Skip to content Skip to navigation

State environment forum suggests government stepts for conservation

Assam Environmental Forum core member Jayanta Das breifing media on large scale destruction of forest and wildlife at a press meet in Guwahati on May 30.From R-Mubina Akhtar,Moloy Barua,Nitul Nath,Raj Phukan and Jayanta Das

Expressing concern over the rampant deforestation in the State and other associated burning issues such the man-elephant conflict, the Assam Environmental NGO Forum today urged the new Forest Minister, Pramila Rani Brahma to take sincere steps to protest the State’s invaluable forest wealth.Addressing a press conference at Guwahati press club today on May 30,office-bearers of the Forum called upon the authorities to expedite the relocation of 1,500-odd families living inside Dibru Saikhowa National Park.“The two forest villages Dadhiya and Lika inside Dibru Saikhowa have resulted in huge anthropogenic pressure on the national park. While the villagers cannot be blamed for the development because they have been living inside the forest before it was declared as a national park, a plan to relocate the people outside the park has not materialized for reasons best known to the Government,” Mubina Akhtar said, adding that the people had readily agreed to the compensation package because they were not getting any amenities inside forestland.Akhtar said that the Forum had made several representations before the State Government but to no avail.Moloy Baruah, while terming growing organized encroachment as a bane to the State’s forests, said that the Amchang wildlife sanctuary located at a stone’s throw from the State capital had borne the brunt of encroachment, with over ten per cent of its land under illegal occupation under the very nose of the forest authorities.


Raj Phukan said that shrinking forestland had been a conspicuous phenomenon since the past 30 years during which the State parted with over 3,000 sq km forest. Calling for restoration of lost forestland through large-scale afforestation, he demanded that the practice of allotment of proposed reserved forest (PRF) land for various purposes be stopped forthwith.


The Forum also opposed the Bodoland Territorial Council’s move to grant more than 3,000bighas of land to Yoga guru Baba Ramdev on India-Bhutan international border which would cause destruction of flora and fauna.The forum also requested BTC authority to reconsider official allotment of 450 bighas of land in Newlee PRF.It was further disclosed that more than 4500 bighas of forests lands had been occupied by a religious organization on Indo-Bhutan border in Newlee PRF causing severe man-elephant conflict.On the recent death of a rhino in Burhachapori wildlife sanctuary, it alleged foul play and demanded an impartial inquiry. “The rhino was badly injured while her ear was cut for marking during translocation. It resulted in gangrene and ultimately resulted in her death,” it said.Referring to the escalating man-elephant conflict in the state,Jayanta Das,environmental journalist of Assam said that large-scale deforestation along the Bhutan border on the Assam side was responsible for the crisis.He said that 83 people and 33 wild elephants had been killed during last five years in Udalguri district alone.The process of compensation to victims had been made during last two years .The Forum was critical of the functioning of the ‘top-heavy’ Forest Department, saying that it was uncalled for at a time while the crucial frontline force was depleted for want of manpower and running without even the basic amenities.“A top-heavy department with very little work for the officials bodes ill for conservation, more so because the department is facing serious shortage of frontline personnel. They frontline staff are also working without any amenities,” it said, adding that it was also time the top officials were made accountable for matters like the mounting poaching-induced rhino deaths.Welcoming the recent directives of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in the recent past, the Forum said that those including the directive for restoration of lost wildlife corridors in Kaziranga landscape should immediately be implemented by the State Government.The Forum also welcomed the recent closing down of forest check-gates by the State Government.


 

 

Author info

Jayanta Kumar Das's picture

Environmental journalist.

Add new comment

Random Stories

Wild tusker found dead in Majuli TE

18 Jul 2010 - 9:52pm | Jayanta Kumar Das
The decomposed body of a wild tusker was found at a place called Phuljharbon near section No 21 (A) of Majuli TE under Harisinga Revenue Circle in Udalguri district on July 17.This has the case of...

Police team grills Chandan Das

16 May 2013 - 9:13am | AT News
Police team probing the chit fund scam continues to grill Candan Das a day after the Jeevan Surakhsa boss was brought to Guwahati.Das is facing a number of cases n Guwahati and many other parts of...

Anup coming by July 15

26 Jun 2013 - 2:00pm | AT News
ULFA top leader Anup Chetia will be back to his home by July 15. Talking to Assam Times, home ministry sources said in Delhi that diplomatic efforts are in final stage to extradiate the ULFA top...

Nasheem Ahmed, Chairman, Minority Commission

Minority Commission Chairman visits Balapara

11 May 2014 - 10:50pm | Hantigiri Narzary
The Chairman of Minority Commission of India Nasheem Ahmed visited Balapara village to take stock of the situation in Kokrajhar on Sunday. Ahmed said that there is an apprehension among the...

Other Contents by Author

Noted astronomy advocate of NE and secretary of Pragjyotish Amateur Astronomers Association, Guwahati Planetarium Uday Narayan Deka breathed his last in the ICU in International Hospital, Guwahati on Thursday at 12.20 am. He had been suffering from kidney related ailments for last twenty days.He was born on September 8 in 1944.He had been working in RBI in Mumbai for twelve years till his joining in RBI Guwahati branch as a Manager.During his stay in Mumbai,he was elected as the Hony. Treasurer of Bombay Amateur Astronomers Association.In 2002 he was elected as the secretary of the Pragjyotish Amateur Astronomers Association,Guwahati Planetarium.He was responsible for organising...
Noted astronomy activist of NE and secretary of Pragjyotish Amateur Astronomers Association,Guwahati Planetarium Uday Narayan Deka breathed his last in the ICU in International Hospital, Guwahati today at 12.20 am.He had been suffering from kidney related ailments for last twenty days.He was born on September 8 in 1944.He had been working in RBI in Mumbai for twelve years till his joining in RBI Guwahati branch as a Manager.During his stay in Mumbai,he was elected as the Hony. Treasurer of Bombay Amateur Astronomers Association.In 2002 he was elected as the secretary of the Pragjyotish Amateur Astronomers Association,Guwahati Planetarium.He was responsible for organising village...
In a very tragic and barbaric incident, Puspanjali Das (19)wife of Chandan Debnath of Thakuriapara village under Bhergaon sub-division in Udalguri district has been burnt down alive on Saturday noon for non-payment of marriage dowry. The incident has shocked the district. The lady was put in a sac before thrown in a fire lighted in a heap of hay. Puspanjali was married to Chandan just three months bac. Narayan Debnath, father-in-law of Puspanjali has been arrested while trying to flee but all the family members managed to flee before being caught. Pranjal Bora, SDPO, Bhergaon told Assam Times that none involved in the incident would be spared.  
Music legend of undivided Darrang (presently Darrang, Udalguri and Sonitpur) Sisir Kumar Suni is now 84 years old being confined to his home only.He is still optimistic about systemic research and practice of traditional folk culture of Assam in their original style.Although forgotten by present day singers and producer directors of Assamese music world,Suni still busy with his never ending musical activities alone in his home at sleepy Bengbari just five KM away from Tangla town.Age could have restricted his bodily movements,but his talent and spirit still busy looking for new ideas.It had been his effort that Bodo folk dance "Kherai" was performed on stage for the first time during 1955."...
Asom Diwas was celebrated at sub-divisional HQ Bhergaon in Udalguri district with gaiety in memory of Chaolung Sukapha on December 2 with day long programme.The programme was organised by Bhergaon sub-divisional administration in association with Udalguri district administration.The celebration started with garlanding of the image of Sukapha at 10 am by DN Hazarika,ADC, Udalguri cum SDO (Civil),Bhergaon followed by an open discussion session on "Role of Sukapha in forming a greater Assam'.Noted teacher Binoy Kumar Medhi,retired  vice principal of Tangla College attended the discussion session as the appointed speaker.Speaking on the occasion,Medhi highlighted role of Sukapha in forming...
With the arrival of picnic time,Bhairabkunda,with all her virgin beauty is once again ready to welcome tourists and picnic lovers.Bhairabkunda has been a tourist destination since long back.But the tourist traffic flow had been disrupted during the days Assam and Bodo movements in eighty’s and ninety’s.But with peace returning to BTAD area people have started visiting Bhairabkunda again.Bhairabkunda has been unique always as the triangular meeting point of Assam,Arunachal and Bhutan.Fast flowing Dhansiri river  with crystal waters has been additional attraction always.The JFMC man made forest (Gedsimani Forest) with more than 14 lacs well grown tree saplings has been additional bonus...
Ajanta Devi,daughter of a villager of Balipota village near Kalaigaon has secured first class first position in Anthropology from Guwahati university in the recently declared MSc final examination.She has also been awarded  Manju Rani Goswami Borkakati Memorial Gold Medal by Guwahati university recently on November 26 in Guwahati.Her achievement has been lauded by the people of Kalaigaon as she is belonged to a family living in a remote village.She is the daughter of Basundhar Nath and Madhabi Nath of Balipota village near Kalaigaon.DN Hazarika,ADC,Udalguri;NC Boro,Inspector of Schools,Udalguri; president of Udalguri District Journalist Union etc  have congratulated her and...
At a time when government has been launching various new educational schemes for the benefit of the students and thousands of teachers are also being appointed,the plight of the students of a provincial High School in Udalguri district is telling other story.Situated in a remote village,ten KM away from Tangla town and fifteen KM from Kalaigaon town, Dhopguri High School has been running without even a single science or mathematics teacher for last four years ie since 2012.No science or mathematics classes had been held in class IX and X in the school during the period.The shocking news has come to light recently when students of the high school staged a demonstration in front of visiting...
”The passing of Assamese Language Bill in Assam Legislative Assembly while late Bishnu Ram Medhi was the Chief Minister of Assam,without consulting a few great tribal leaders of Assam who used to speak in Assamese language in Assam Assembly had been one of the causes for which Assamese language lost the faith of non Assamese tribal leaders during sixty’s”,so said Dr.Paramananda Rajbongshi, secretary of Asom Xahitya Xobha at the concluding session of the silver jubilee celebration of Kendukalai Sahitya Samaj,a branch of Asom Xahitya Xobha at Kalaigaon on November 19.Dr.Rajbongshi in his speech as the chief guest of the open session also appealed all the people of Assam to adopt Assamese...
The silver jubilee of Kendukalai Sahitya Samaj of Kalaigaon has been commencing at Kalaigaon with the hoisting of 27 number of Sabha flags on November 18 at 9 am.Twenty five distinguished people of Kalaigaon hoisted all the flags celebrationg completion of glorious twenty years of the branch of Asom Xahitya Xobha.Prominent among them were- Abul Hussain,president and Mahendra Saikia, founder president of the Kendukalai Sahitya Samaj, Kalaigaon; Jagadish Sarkar,EM,BTC;Maheswar Boro,MLA, Kalaigaon; Nabin Chandra Boro,Inspector of Schools, Udalguri etc. Earlier senior journalist Mukut Raj Sarma, secretary of the celebration committee welcomed all the guests with gamocha and spoke about the...