Eviction notices served to 40 families from Amchang Wildlife Sanctuary

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The Forest department has taken steps to evict all encroachers from the Amchang Wildlife Sanctuary in the city. According to sources, "Rampant encroachments have taken place at various parts of the sanctuary especially during the lockdown phases. Such activities have incessantly increased during the recent days."

The notice issued by the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Guwahati Wildlife Division, on May 8, 2020, has given a deadline of 15 days to all encroachers in the sanctuary to free wildlife lands under their illegal occupation. The notice specifically stated that the encroachers have constructed houses or set up establishments within the sanctuary.

The Amchang Wildlife Sanctuary, spread over approximately 78 square km, is divided into the Khanapara Range (25 sq km) and the Bonda Range (53 sq km).

A Forest official said, "Following an order from the Court, we carried out eviction drives against 700 families at 'Batahghuli', 'Yusuf Nagar', 'Kangkan Nagar', and 'Nabajyoti Nagar' under the Khanapara Range in 2017. However, they moved the Guwahati High Court against the drives. The eviction drives had to be halted after the High Court issued a stay order.

"Now, taking advantage of the lockdown, while these encroachers have started construction works; many others have started occupying fresh areas within the sanctuary. Mention may be made of the 'Janasimalu' area. "

Dwelling on the modus operandi of the encroachers, the official stated, "Department personnel have noticed many illegal activities taking place in the sanctuary. These include rampant felling of trees and construction of bamboo boundaries. Most of them are transporting construction materials often flagged off as essential commodities. Hence, we've issued eviction notices to around 40 families in the sanctuary. "

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