Free protected areas from encroachments: Minister Parimal Suklabaidya

GUWAHATI: Minister for Environment and Forest, Fisheries and Excise, Parimal Suklabaidya reviewed the status and progress of different schemes of his departments under Kamrup metropolitan district on Monday.

In a meeting with Deputy Commissioner, Kamrup (Metro) Biswajit Pegu, MLAs Ramendra Narayan Kalita and Atul Bora, Principal Secretary, Excise, Rajesh Prasad, ADCs, Circle Officers, Excise officials and inspectors at DC's conference hall, Minister Suklabaidya asked the officials to step up the drive against illicit liquor (sulai) and liquor from Arunachal Pradesh in the district.

The Minister while taking stock of 302 IMFL Off and 216 On shops and 72 country spirit shops operating in the metropolitan district, asked the officials to verify the documents whether they are being operated by the original licensee or bogus persons.

He directed the officials to form flying squads headed by an Inspector for inspection of the documents.

Suklabaidya also asked the officials to see whether spurious liquor is being sold with fake branding. He directed the officials to take immediate action against those making illicit liquor from molasses (lali gur) and fermented wash which poses serious health hazards.

On revenue mobilisation, the Superintendent, Excise, informed that more than Rs.69 crore has been generated during April-May this year which is 60 cent increase compared to the same corresponding period last year.

MLAs Kalita and Bora assured the Minister of their support and cooperation in putting a halt to illicit liquor (sulai) and preventing the sale of liquor from Arunachal.

At a meeting with MLAs, DC, ADCs, COs, CCF, DFOs Kamrup East and West, DFO, Wildlife and DFO, Social Forestry and Range Officers, Minister Suklabaidya asked the officials to free the forest lands and protected areas from encroachments.

Suklabaidya asked the Forest officials to work in tandem with revenue officials of the district to properly identify the areas falling under the respective departments and initiate the process of transfer of land accordingly.

The meeting discussed encroachment at Amchang Wildlife Sanctuary and discussed ways to free the lands from encroachers. It also discussed the beautification of Deepor Beel, creation of buffer zone and eco-sensitive zone. DC, Pegu informed that the administration had already identified 200 bighas surrounding the wetland which can be used as a buffer zone. Minister Suklabaidya also directed the Forest officials to move the government for the creation of the Zonal Master Plan.

The issue of man-elephant conflicts also figured in the meeting and the steps to be taken up to ensure hassle-free movement of wild pachyderms through elephant management. He asked the officials to constitute teams for keeping a 24x7 tab on the elephants coming out of reserved forests in search of food and find ways to avert conflicts.

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