KHERONI: Large-scale deforestation and damage to the lush green forest areas have become a major concern in a part of the West Karbi Anglong district of the state of Assam.
Cutting of trees on a massive scale has been taking place in the Koka region of the Amreng Forest which comes under the Southern Range of Forest Department, Kheroni. Along with the large-scale deforestation, illegal mining of sand and stone is also being carried out in places which used to be under thick forest foliage, causing further damage to the environment.
According to the local people, the miscreants have been collecting valuable forest resources including high-value timber and other materials from the forest and these activities have intensified in the past two to three months leading to significant damage to the forest. The locals have accused the elected representatives from the Number 7 Kopili and Number 9 Amreng Constituencies of the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council of supporting these miscreants in their actions towards the destruction of these forest areas.
Since the location of this destruction is at a very short distance from the popular Koka Picnic Spot located deep within the dense forests of Amreng, the local people have questioned as to how such action could take place without the knowledge of the administration, especially the Karbi Autonomous Council executive members. They also demanded the Chief Executive Member of the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council, Tuliram Ronghang to take strict action against the perpetrators and stop the destruction of the forests with immediate effect.
Meanwhile, local people have raised concerns regarding the cutting of a large number of valuable trees in the past few days in the Digboi town of the state of Assam. They also questioned the actions and motives of the state government who first aimed to set the world record for sapling plantation and then allowed the indiscriminate felling of valuable trees in the state. The incident took place in Digboi where a large number of trees were cut down in the Upper Dihing Forest of the Dhekiyajan locality of Digboi Town. Although the forest department has placed notices warning people not to cut trees, the same has not been followed by them.
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