Assam: Smugglers cutting soil illegally in forest reserve area in West Kamrup Division

A CORRESPONDENT

BOKO: Massive irregularities in the West Kamrup Division came to light after it was found that illegal soil cutting was going on in a reserve forest (RF) area under Bondapara forest range office. Unfortunately, this illegal and unscientific method of cutting can lead to serious accidents in the area at any moment. Locals alleged that the forest department is involved with the smugglers allowing them to cut soil day and night from the RF area. It is worth mentioning that the smugglers have dug to a depth of about 12 to 15 feet and created a deep canal about 300 meters long and 15 to 60 feet wide, creating a threat to wild elephants, other animals, and humans.

When West Kamrup DFO Subodh Talukdar, along with a forest team visited the site, he said that he was not aware of the incident and tried to avoid the matter. Surprisingly, DFO Subodh Talukdar and Bondapara Deputy Range Officer Bhairab Chandra Sarma informed that they had no idea whether that location falls under RF or Revenue area. Locals of the area said that two Rabha-titled persons from Sukuniapara and Kathalkuchi villages and another Kalita-titled person from the Boko area were involved in the excavation of the soil. People of the area also said that wild elephants used to graze in the area and it was also an elephant corridor.

According to DFO Subodh Talukdar, soil can be dug only 3 meters deep, but smugglers have excavated more than this. It is worth mentioning that, last year in November month, in order to stop illegal hill cutting, collection of boulders, sand, and excavation in Kamrup district, the District Commissioner and District Magistrate Kamrup Deba Kumar Mishra issued an order constituting 7 task forces for North Guwahati, Palasbari, Hajo, Boko, Kamalpur, Chaygaon, and Rangia Revenue Circles of the district.

The aim of the task forces was to check the areas where illegal hill cutting, earth cutting, and boulder and sand excavation are taking place without permission from the district administration. They were to take appropriate action against offenders as per existing rules and also work to stop illegal hill/earth cutting, boulder/sand extraction, illegal blasting, etc. Additionally, the task forces were to submit reports of action taken to the district commissioner through the monitoring officers.

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