ABSU urges for taking steps against illegal felling of trees
OUR CORRESPONDENT
KOKRAJHAR: The All Bodo Students Union (ABSU), Kokrajhar district committee on Friday urged the new Principal Secretary of BTC to take appropriate action to stop the massive felling of trees in the reserve forests under Ultapani and Atiabari forest ranges in Kokrajhar district to protect the green environment.
In a memorandum submitted to the Principal Secretary, BTC, the Kokrajhar district committee, ABSU said since the lockdown began on March 24, sources had informed that large-scale illegal cutting and felling of Sal and other expensive full-grown trees in Ultapani Forest Range and Athiabri Forest Range under Haltugaon Division, Kokrajhar was taking place taking advantage of lack of movement of forest officials and NGOs protecting forest and natural resources. The memorandum added that cutting and felling of tress was taking place in a big way by timber mafia belonging to neighbouring district of Chirang.
The memorandum alleged that though the forest department was transferred subject to BTC, the local forest department miserably failed to control the destruction of forest areas in BTC region. Under such circumstances, the Kokrajhar district committee, ABSU urged the new Principal Secretary of BTC, Sidartha Singh to take stringent steps to stop the destruction of valuable trees and forest areas for the interest of protecting the environment and flora and fauna.