A clarification

Referring to a news item published in Saturday's issue (State page) of The Sentinel headlined as 'Alleged encroachment in Dihing Patkai National Part', the third paragraph stated that the encroachment took place in 9 sq km within the Park area.

This correspondent clarifies that the encroached area measures 360 acres/145.5 hectares as mentioned in the Forest Department's 2nd edition of Jeypore RF and not nine sq km as stated.

Meanwhile, the review meeting convened by Forest Minister Parimal Suklabaidya at Jeypore on Saturday reportedly discussed The Sentinel story on the encroachment issue.

A senior Forest official told this correspondent later that there was no dispute over encroachment in the national park area. "The area belongs to Assam forest and will remain within the notified area of the national park," he said, adding that the department would take steps in phases.

 Our Tinsukia correspondent

Also Read: Alleged encroachment in Dihing Patkai National Park