OUR CORRESPONDENT
BONGAIGAON: To ensure safe movement of Golden Langur in forest areas of Bongaigaon district, Bongaigaon district administration took few steps on Saturday under the leadership of Dr MS Lakshmi Priya, Bongaigaon Deputy Commissioner.
In this regard it was decided to set up sign board in the wild animal corridor between Hapachara and Tulungiya area of Bongaigaon district at NH-117, directing vehicle drivers to slow down their vehicle at those points. "Plan has been finalized by NHIDCL for constructing over-head ladder path at the above-mentioned spots for safe crossing of Golden Langurs during construction of the new highway road at the two spots identified by joint verification with forest officials. As the construction of the overhead ladder path is going to be delayed, as an immediate step, NHIDCL is to construct rumble-strips consisting of least 12 speed-breakers on both sides of the road at the two spots earlier identified by joint verification. The spots are near Hapachara Beat office and near Ujan Rabhapara. Also the overhead electricity wires near the Kakoijana reserve forest, the main habitat of the Golden Langurs, were insulated to protect the langurs from electric shocks," the DC said.
The steps were taking on Saturday when a golden langur was injured in an accident in Deohati area on the State highway near Abhayapuri. The Deputy Commissioner of Bongaigaon and the DPM, NHM, Bongaigoan reached the spot after a few minutes of the incident. They were on their way back after inspecting vaccination programmes by the Health Department in N.Salmara subdivision area. The forest department officials were immediately notified. The forest department officials, after inspecting the injury, took the golden langur to the Wildlife Rescue Centre, Saraikhola, BTAD for better treatment. However, after Saturday's incident, a committee was set up by the Deputy Commissioner to suggest measures for prevention of such incidents in future. The committee was headed by the DDC, Bongaigaon and included officials from the Forest Department, Transport Department and the PWD. In its first meeting on Saturday, the committee suggested the following.
The Deputy Commissioner of Bongaigaon accepted the suggestions of the committee and instructed the departments concerned to implement those at the earliest.