NGO urges Forest Minister to take steps for protection of Digboi Forest Division

From our Correspondent

DIGBOI, June 13: In what can be called a crusade against the illegal activities and deforestation being carried out ubated throughout the various ranges in Digboi Division in Tinsukia district of Upper Assam, the local NGO Green Buds Society has called upon the attention and intervention of State Forest Minister Pramila Rani Brahma to realize the common objectives which so long remained a distant dream due to the alleged step-motherly attitude of the competent authority as well as the vested  officials of the forest departmental hierarchy.

According to a press communiqué, the NGO stated that the Digboi Forest Division, which was also the Indo-Burma hotspot zone endowed with unique biodiversity, was in great peril as the head of the division was exploiting its resources vigorously through various means. It further stated that the green division was facing acute challenges from various quarters. According to the NGO, illegal exploitation of minor minerals, illegal digging and mud cutting at various locations, poaching and encroachment was being carried out ubated in every range of the division.

Many petitions and complaints by NGOs, demonstration and agitation by different student bodies over a period of time yielded no desirable result.

The NGO urged the Forest Minister to visit Digboi Division once and contact the local NGOs instead of the department officials for concrete proof and evidences recorded with GPS location and other assured devices which was sufficient to raise the eye brows of the Sarbanda Sonowal government as how ‘indifferent and monstrous’ was the Congress regime that swallowed the entire division and robbed off her beauty and possessions.

The NGO called upon the attention of the all concerned to come forward and take special steps, care and attention for the safety and development of the only rainforest of Assam. Merciless exploitation of flora and fau kingdom for vested interest must be fought back tooth and il. The illegal exploitation should stop immediately otherwise the rate of human-wildlife conflict will increase manifold, stated the press communiqué.

Green Bud Society would take the help of RTI to bring the division into limelight in front of the newly formed government, states the press release.