Environmentalist Demands Relocation of Assam Police Firing Range Near Deopahar

A CORRESPONDENT

BOKAKHAT: Environmental activist Apurba Ballav Goswami from Golaghat has submitted a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner of Golaghat district, Pulak Mahanta, addressed to the Chief Minister of Assam, demanding the relocation of the Assam Police firing range located in the Kaliani forest near the proposed Deopahar Reserved Forest in Numaligarh.

Goswami has strongly advocated for the immediate shifting of the firing range from this area, keeping in view the presence of wild elephants in the Kaliani forest. During the recent departmental elephant census, a significant number of wild elephants were recorded in this forest. Hence, in order to avoid any disruption to the natural movement of elephants, the activist has taken this initiative.

He also emphasized that due to the frequent human-elephant conflicts in Golaghat district, it is extremely important to preserve this forest.

Furthermore, Goswami mentioned that on September 13, 2024, he had already submitted another memorandum demanding the declaration of the Kaliani forest as a proposed reserved forest. That memorandum was sent through the then Deputy Commissioner of Golaghat, P. Uday Praveen, to the Chief Minister of Assam.

He also alleged that there is an illegal trade involving unexploded or leftover bullets and bombs from the firing range, which has caused injuries to several individuals over time.

Also Read: Assam: Sonitpur District Magistrate issues ban on use of fine-mesh nets

Also watch: