KOKRAJHAR, Nov 27 � The BTC Forest administration is not in a mood to compromise on the eviction drive in the reserve forest areas, said GC Basumatary, CHD, BTC and Conservator of Forests, Western Circle.
Talking to a section of the media here, he said that there is illegal encroachment on the forest land in Ripu-Chirang reserve forest in the BTAD and the eviction drives made from time to time are not sufficient. Hence it is necessary to continue the eviction process with a strong hand to save and protect the valuable species of flora and fauna in the region rich in biodiversity, he said.
At the same time, he said that certain political leaders even from outside the State visiting the area are trying to politicise and instigate communities against the eviction process for selfish political gains detrimental to the objective of forest and wildlife conservation in the area. He also revealed that in the recent eviction drive in Lungsung and Ultapani areas under the Chirang reserve forest, as many as 1,500 Adivasi and Bodo families were evicted as illegal encroachers and necessary steps were also taken before such drives were executed by the authorities concerned in coordination with the civil and police administration.
On the other hand, talking to the media, Dr C Ramesh, DFO, Haltugaon Forest Division, informed that in the 59,000 hectare forest land under the Chirang reserve forest , around 12,000 hectares have already been encroached on by illegal encroachers and so far 4,000 hectares could be cleared from their occupation.
He further clarified that no particular community in this regard has been targeted during the eviction drives. He also revealed that there have been only 25 forest villages in Haltugaon Forest Division since 1906 but large-scale encroachment has been taking place since 1990.
However, periodic eviction drives to restore forest land from the grip of illegal encroachers has not been able to provide a permanent solution as there are fresh encroachments.
As such, attempts have been made to even destroy illegal farming and cultivation inside the reserve forest and no stone will be left unturned to vacate forest land from encroachers. He further added that the newly-vacated forest land through eviction has been handed over to the eco-task force of the Government for protection and intensive plantation. He also said that satellite imaging provides close data on large-scale forest destruction and encroachment in the area which needs corrective measures.
Indicating the importance of the forest land under Kokrajhar and Chirang districts in particular, he said that it is a part of the Manas Tiger Reserve, Ripu-Chirang plant reserve, Manas Biosphere Reserve, butterfly habitat and also a part of the proposed wildlife sanctuary which is under serious threat.
He pointed out that the top soil conservation is of immense importance to prevent future deforestation. He asserted that the 25 recognised forest villages have not been disturbed in anyway. But illegal encroachment will not be allowed at any cost.
He also appealed for concerted efforts from every corner of the society including local inhabitants. He informed that eviction drives are being carried out in compliance with the High Court directives with regard to illegal eviction in the forest area.
KOKRAJHAR, Nov 27 � The BTC Forest administration is not in a mood to compromise on the eviction drive in the reserve forest areas, said GC Basumatary, CHD, BTC and Conservator of Forests, Western Circle.
Talking to a section of the media here, he said that there is illegal encroachment on the forest land in Ripu-Chirang reserve forest in the BTAD and the eviction drives made from time to time are not sufficient. Hence it is necessary to continue the eviction process with a strong hand to save and protect the valuable species of flora and fauna in the region rich in biodiversity, he said.
At the same time, he said that certain political leaders even from outside the State visiting the area are trying to politicise and instigate communities against the eviction process for selfish political gains detrimental to the objective of forest and wildlife conservation in the area. He also revealed that in the recent eviction drive in Lungsung and Ultapani areas under the Chirang reserve forest, as many as 1,500 Adivasi and Bodo families were evicted as illegal encroachers and necessary steps were also taken before such drives were executed by the authorities concerned in coordination with the civil and police administration.
On the other hand, talking to the media, Dr C Ramesh, DFO, Haltugaon Forest Division, informed that in the 59,000 hectare forest land under the Chirang reserve forest , around 12,000 hectares have already been encroached on by illegal encroachers and so far 4,000 hectares could be cleared from their occupation.
He further clarified that no particular community in this regard has been targeted during the eviction drives. He also revealed that there have been only 25 forest villages in Haltugaon Forest Division since 1906 but large-scale encroachment has been taking place since 1990.
However, periodic eviction drives to restore forest land from the grip of illegal encroachers has not been able to provide a permanent solution as there are fresh encroachments.
As such, attempts have been made to even destroy illegal farming and cultivation inside the reserve forest and no stone will be left unturned to vacate forest land from encroachers. He further added that the newly-vacated forest land through eviction has been handed over to the eco-task force of the Government for protection and intensive plantation. He also said that satellite imaging provides close data on large-scale forest destruction and encroachment in the area which needs corrective measures.
Indicating the importance of the forest land under Kokrajhar and Chirang districts in particular, he said that it is a part of the Manas Tiger Reserve, Ripu-Chirang plant reserve, Manas Biosphere Reserve, butterfly habitat and also a part of the proposed wildlife sanctuary which is under serious threat.
He pointed out that the top soil conservation is of immense importance to prevent future deforestation. He asserted that the 25 recognised forest villages have not been disturbed in anyway. But illegal encroachment will not be allowed at any cost.
He also appealed for concerted efforts from every corner of the society including local inhabitants. He informed that eviction drives are being carried out in compliance with the High Court directives with regard to illegal eviction in the forest area.
