Deforestation continues in Jeypore Rain Forest of Dihing Patkai Wildlife Sanctuary

A CORRESPONDENT

NAHARKATIA: Unabated deforestation continues in the Jeypore Rain Forest of Dihing-Patkai Wildlife Sanctuary which has played an important role in maintaining the balance of the environment. After the regular news of deforestation published in The Sentinel, the Dibrugarh Deputy Commissioner, Pallav Gopal Jha arranged a meeting in Jepore forest range office on August 13.

In the presence of Dibrugarh DFO, ADC, Circle Officer of Naharkatia, Namrup DSP, environment activists, journalists and local people, various decisions were taken in the meeting. The DC instructed ADC Rajiv Thapa and Sushanta Kr Dutta to take necessary measures and to take prohibitory order u/s 144 CrPC in Naharkatia Revenue Circle area to seize all chainsaw machines from owners and deposit them in the Jeypore range office. But as these steps have not been taken by the forest department and the local police and administration, deforestation is still going on in the forest.

The Joypur branch of All Assam Students' Union (AASU) and the Naharkatiya regional unit of AASU are now taking a stand against the ongoing deforestation in Jeypore rain forest. AASU activists burnt the effigy of Chief Minister Sarbanada Sonowal, State Forest Minister Parimal Suklabaidya and local MLA Naren Sonowal in front of the Jeypore Forest Range office on Wednesday.

Local AASU leader Ritupan Gogoi condemned Jeypore forest department for allegedly failing to check deforestation. AASU Naharkatia regional unit president Ritupan Gogoi also condemned local MLA Naren Sonowal strongly for the false promise made by him last month to take responsibility for the protection of the forest. "If the forest is to be protected, rather than making false promises, strong measures must be taken," Gogoi added. "The Forest Department has not taken any action following the written instructions of the District Magistrate and the local police and the administration have remained silent in this regard. If this deforestation is not stopped soon, we will launch a strong democratic movement," Ritupan Gogoi said.

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