DOOMDOOMA, June 8 - �Industries should not be set up at the cost of the environment,� observed Forest Man of India Jadav Payeng.
The self-taught Padma Shri award-winning environmental activist was felicitated by Rupkonwar Jatiya Vidyalaya of Baghjan and Baghjan Gaon Milanjyoti Yuvak Sangha during his visit to Baghjan-Dighaltarang area under Doomdooma Circle recently.
Payeng was in the area recently to take stock of the ill effects of oil exploration by Oil India Limited (OIL) on the environment, especially in Dibru-Saikhowa National Park and Maguri-Motapung Beel.
Interacting with the students, teachers, youth and villagers of the area, Payeng stressed on massive tree plantation for a better future of planet Earth. He urged the students to plant and take care of at least 10 trees each.
�Only planting trees is not enough, the saplings should be taken care of until they are fully grown,� Payeng added. Earth, which is the third planet from the Sun, desperately needs your help, he told the students.
It may be mentioned here that the National Park Policy of India prohibits oil exploration within a radius of 10 kms of any nature reserve. But OIL has requisitioned at least 36 bighas of land from Dighaltarang Tea Estate for oil exploration, which is only 400 metres away from Dibru-Saikhowa National Park and Dangari river.
It is feared that the proposed oil exploration project will harm the bio-diversity of the national park and will also harm the water bodies of the national park, besides the Dangari river.
The locals and various organisations have been protesting against this exploration project by OIL.
The locals urged Payeng to draw the attention of the state as well as the Central governments on this vital issue.
