APPDSSU demands revocation of order declaring buffer zone

FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT

ITAGAR, June 29: The All Pakke-Kessang Puerang Dissing-Passo Seijosa Students’ Union (APPDSSU) has demanded the state government to immediately revoke the order of declaring Buffer Zone at Seijosa Dissing-Passo and Pakke-Kessang circles saying that it will suppress human Rights and violate the Schedule Tribes and Other Traditiol Forest Dwellers Act 2006.

In a representation to Principal Chief Conservator of Forest on Tuesday, the union pointed out that the Buffer Zone had been notified arbitrarily at Seijosa, Dissing-Passo and Pakke-kessang circles because the concerned department did not follow up the norms of Wildlife Protection Act 1972 as amended in 2006.

“The department has notified Buffer Zone / Eco-Sensitive Zone adjacent to Pakke Tiger Reserve without consulting with the gram sabha not the department constitute an expert committee for the purpose before declaring the areas as buffer zone,” the union said in its representation. It said the declaration was made with support from a few vested interest GBs and PRIs without knowing the norms and guidelines of Buffer Zone. “The entire process was led by Pakke Wildlife Sanctuary DFO through hide and seek policy,” the union alleged adding, there is zero settlement of claims and objections process and most of the local residents of the concerned area stand against buffer zone because many livelihood or modern technology developmental activities are being stranded in the said area.

The union while appealing the department to constitute an expert committee and local committee from the concerned area within 15 days to resolve the matter, further threatened that the locals of the area along with APPDSSU would launch rigorous movement against the DFO who allegedly misguiding the people of the area.