KOHORA, Sept 1 � Bokakhat MLA Arun Phukon has said that there was no question of blocking the NH- 37 (from Jakhalabandha to Bokakhat) since the highway passes adjacent to the Kaziranga National Park (KNP), which means it is outside its boundary.
He was speaking on the sidelines of a workshop on �Green Reporting� held at Kohora, with reference to the petition filed by Rohit Choudhary at the National Green Tribunal over the violation of guidelines issued by the competent authority mainly about the de -notification of the NH-37 passing through the KNP i.e., from Jakhalabandha to Bokakhat stretch for the safety and protection of wild animals in and around KNP.
The workshop organised by �Katha Arranya�, was inaugurated by Padma Gogoi and president of the All Assam Journalists� Association, Jitu Sharma Rajkhowa and attended by the DFO Kaziranga SK Seal Sharma, Kohora Ranger Mukul Tamuly, noted academician Ratul Rajkhowa among others.
Secondly with regard to plying of heavy and very heavy vehicles on the highway, the MLA said that an alternative four-lane road was being constructed from Gohpur to Numaligargh to divert these loaded vehicles. The existing road would remain accessible for the residents staying on or near NH-37 as well as for small vehicles causing no disturbance to wild animals, he said adding that commuters on the highway can help indirectly in checking poaching activities as they can be eyes and ears for checking the antisocial elements. The road is an important means of communication for the people of eastern Arunachal, Nagaland and Manipur, besides parts of upper Assam.
About the upcoming ITI Institute for Tourism at Kohora, Phukon said that the institute would serve the purpose of all sections of people living in different parts of Assam. Senior citizen of Kohora Munindra Nath Sharma said that the ITI would also benefit the students of Karbi Anglong to a great extent.