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Illegal logging, poaching continue at Manas National Park

By SIVASISH THAKUR

GUWAHATI, Oct 3 - Notwithstanding the growing presence of wildlife in Manas National Park, problems like illegal logging and encroachment persist, and according to conservationists, the twin menace can cause irreparable harm to the park unless checked with a firm hand. Poaching of wildlife too has been a concern along stretches having poor security, with six elephant tusks recovered within a one-month period.

Forest authorities, while acknowledging the issue of encroachment and poaching, deny that there has been any illegal logging. Conservationists with a long association with Manas allege that illegal felling has been rampant, with transportation of the felled timber through the river route being the common modus operandi. �This has been going on for quite some time and the authorities have failed to check it. This will have serious implications for the flora and fauna of Manas,� a conservationist said.

When asked, Manas National Park and Tiger Reserve field director Amal Sarma termed the allegation as �baseless� and that during the monsoons, river erosion causes many trees to fall into the river which are then collected by some people. �This is not a case of illegal felling by any timber mafia. This happens during the rainy season, especially in the Bhutan region, when the rivers are in spate,� Sarma said.

Organised encroachment has been another persistent threat to Manas, with the last eviction drive at Betbari area turning out to be a failure in the face of stiff opposition by the illegal settlers.

Conservationists are worried that vast areas of Manas � including an important forest patch between the Aie and Bhur rivers to the west of the newly created first addition of Manas National Park � could disappear forever if encroachment is not stopped.

Forest areas under Chirang, Kolmou and the Kuklung Range, too, have declined drastically and along with encroachment, illegal logging and poaching continue in the areas. According to an estimate, 53 villages have sprung up inside Manas National Park over the past 23 years.

Acknowledging the problems, Sarma said more camps would be set up in areas vulnerable to encroachment and poaching. �We had set a proposal of Rs 46 lakh for setting up three camps at Betbari area. Eviction drives are also being planned in the encroached areas. Most of the encroached areas do not have permanent houses and the people are doing agricultural activities,� he said.

Sarma said the Panbari range and the first addition would also be having five new camps soon. On poaching, he said animal body parts are generally transported through train to Siliguri before those reach China and Nepal. �Poaching has been recorded in the first addition area. However, we are acting tough and many poachers have been arrested and many have surrendered. Another significant accomplishment has been that for nearly four years, not a single rhino has been killed,� he said.

Manas at present has a staff strength of 740, including casual workers and home guards. Of these, 360 are permanent staff. The park has 84 camps.

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