Eco-sensitive zone of Dibru-Saikhowa National Park functioning without regulatory authority

OUR CORRESPONDENT

TINSUKIA: Though Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) of Dibru-Saikhowa National Park (DSNP) was notified on November 30, 2020, and the Zonal Master Plan (ZMP) should have been approved within two years, the 16-member Monitoring Committee has not been constituted till date due to alleged lackadaisical attitude of the authorities concerned. Thus, the ESZ has been functioning without any regulatory authority.

The Tourism Master Plan that forms a component of ZMP is also considered to be a reference document for the Monitoring Committee. These developments came to the fore in the wake of the paragliding tragedy at Skyland Resort that took place within the ESZ of DSNP on Republic Day.

The Tinsukia Divisional Forest Officer (WL), Krishna Kamal Deuri, who is also member secretary of the Monitoring Committee, told this correspondent that his department did not accord any permission to operate the resort. As the resort had been functioning in the revenue area before ESZ notification, the accountability was with the district administration and the onus lies with the owners of the resort to establish its legitimacy, Deuri said. Intriguingly, top officials of the district administration, along with legislators from the ruling party, attended the inaugural programme of the resort in November 2021 (post-lockdown) despite knowing the fact that the area is within ESZ. Thus, the legality of operating the resort with adventure sports is locked in ambiguity over pre and post ESZ status.

The prima facie evidence already established severe lapses on the part of the operators, including the use of the unregistered vehicle in lifting the glider. Altogether 13 persons, including DFO (WL) and o/c Guijan OP, disposed of their statements before the inquiry officer, ADC Monjit Borkakoti on Saturday.

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