Unabated deforestation across Jeypore rainforest causes concern

A CORRESPONDENT

NAHARKATIA: Post the suspension of all mining operations in the sub-tropical rainforest of Dehing Patkai Wildlife Sanctuary, alleged large-scale deforestation in the forest reserve has been observed of late.

The inclusion of the DehingPatkai elephant reserve to the already existing five national parks of Assam has proved to be a silver lining but the alleged illegal deforestation has posed a serious threat to the extremely luxuriant forest cover and the sundry wildlife. Out of 110 sq. km of Jeypore rainforest, the 24 sq km sanctuary is in a deplorable state. Home to a variety of cats, elephants, and hoolock gibbons, the forest is now a continuous victim of rampant deforestation by a section of unscrupulous persons.

Conservation activist MridupabanPhukan, who has done large-scale documentation of the DehingPatkai Wildlife Sanctuary and elephant reserve, said, "The forest department of Assam has allegedly failed to stand up to the expectations of the people of the State. In spite of the government's amplified vigil over the illegal activities under its jurisdiction, the forest range officer of Jeypore range is totally unaware of these ongoing illegal activities. He also alleged, "The negligence of the Divisional Forest Officer of Dibrugarh Forest Division towards the Jeypore rainforest is the main cause of unabated deforestation of the rainforest."

Recently, members of Dibrugarh district committee along with Naharkatia, Duliajan, Tingkhong unit and Jeypore branches of the All Assam Students' Union (AASU) went to do a ground review of the illegal activities and the general secretary of AASU Dibrugarh, Shankar Jyoti Baruah, said, "The reason why we are here is because in the rainforest, located along the main road between Arunachal and Naharkatia, many valuable trees have been cut by illegal traders." He alleged that the senior officers of the State Forest Department were all in collusion with the illegal traders.

The large-scale clearance of forests, poaching and rat-hole mining have taken social media by storm since the last couple of days. The people of Assam are anticipating a strict and firm action from the government to save the rainforest.

Also Watch: #NewsMakers: Bharat Bhushan Dev Choudhury, Sec. General Administration, Gov. of Assam, Dispur