Debabrata Saikia urges CM to revise decision on renaming 'Rajiv Gandhi Orang National Park'

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The decision by the State government to change the name of the 'Rajiv Gandhi Orang National Park' is not acceptable, said Leader of the Opposition, ALA (Assam Legislative Assembly) and CLP (Congress Legislature Party) leader Debabrata Saikia on Friday.

He said in a press release, "Unfortunately, the State cabinet headed by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has decided to rename 'Rajiv Gandhi Orang National Park'; and, remove former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi's name from it. We strongly oppose the move to insult the memory and self- sacrifice of an Indian citizen for his country.

"The name of Rajiv Gandhi should not be removed from the sanctuary because he had made an unmatched contribution towards environmental protection in the entire country. The subject of environmental protection first found its place in the party's manifesto in 1984. The manifesto included various subjects like environment-conscious development, tackling wastage and rape of natural resources along with preparation of a national conservation policy for the protection of natural resources, the importance of education and facts, constituting a special task force, control of air and water pollution.

"Gandhi also formed a 'National Wasteland Development Board' in 1985. Subsequently, the then PM, Rajiv Gandhi launched the GAP (Ganga Action Plan) in 1986 to clean the Ganga River. He also took the advice of environmentalist Anil Agarwala while formulating the policies for 27 different government departments. During Rajiv Gandhi's tenure, in 1986, the environment department was upgraded into a Ministry. This was a historic decision taken by the noble leader. Moreover, the manifesto of 1991 included the implementation of rules for pollution control and a pledge for the development of national unified water and land policy.

"Rajiv Gandhi also announced priority for wildlife.

"We want to remind CM Himanta Biswa Sarma that when he was a member of the INC (Indian National Congress), he had invited Congress leader Sonia Gandhi to Amingaon during her Assam tour and started the work on the Rajiv Gandhi Sports Complex.

"Without doubt, Rajiv Gandhi's role in organizing the Asian Games is unparalleled and it was his contribution to the field of sports that warranted the reconstruction of the sports complex named after him.

"Therefore, we can never accept that a person with such contributions towards the preservation of the environment and natural resources should have his name removed from the National Park by the State government. We urge the Assam government to reconsider its decision to rename the sanctuary and demand that the name of Rajiv Gandhi Orang National Park is kept unchanged."

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