Restrictions imposed on city picnickers

BY OUR STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI, Dec 22: To keep unruly picnickers away, the Kamrup (Metro) district administration has imposed Section 144 of the CrPC in the core areas of Deepor Beel , Amchang Wildlife Sanctuary and other picnic spots of the district till March 31 next year.

The act prohibits the playing of loud music in the core areas, as well as littering of picnic spots in and around the core areas with polythene, plastic and leftover food. Consumption of alcohol and boisterous behaviour are also prohibited, said the order.  The Kamrup (M) administration has also advised picnickers to refrain from swimming and boating in these areas. Parking of vehicles in the core areas which might affect animal movement has also been disallowed.

Deputy Commissioner M Angamuthu has directed the concerned circle officers to coordite with the forest department and local NGOs to track people’s movement near Deepor Beel and Amchang Wildlife Sanctuary. “The activities of some picnickers have been very disturbing. So, we have issued an order and we will monitor the movement of people in and around these two areas. Action will be taken if anybody found violating norms,” said Angamuthu. Locals have often complained about picnickers polluting the areas by strewing plastic and leftover food there.

In 1989, the state government had declared a 10.1-sqkm area of the water body as Deepor Beel Wildlife Sanctuary. It had also proposed that a 4.1-sqkm core area be desigted as a bird sanctuary. Nearly 122 species of seasol, migratory and other varieties of birds fly down to the water body every year. Considering the ecological importance of the wetland, Deepor Beel has also been included in the Asian Wetland Directory.

Amchang, which also plays host to different kinds of birds, was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 2004.