Amchang facing threat from unabated encroachment

[karira]

As reported by Staff Reporter in assmtribune.com on 16 August 2008:
The Assam Tribune Online

Amchang facing threat from unabated encroachment

GUWAHATI, Aug 16 – Encroachment and illegal tree-felling have turned into a graver threat for the Amchang wildlife sanctuary, with almost one-tenth of its area officially stated to be under human settlement, and no government intervention in sight. What is more worrying is that the existing settlements are encouraging more encroachment, with the forest authorities themselves admitting that the steps taken to contain encroachment are “inadequate” to meet the situation.

The failure of the Forest Department and the State Government to effect the final demarcation of the sanctuary’s boundaries is aggravating matters.

Of Amchang’s 78.64 sq km area, 7.7 sq km are under encroachment, including settlements that had been there prior to its upgradation to a sanctuary in 2004. As per official data, there are 98 households in five villages (Garobastis) namely Ikorabari, Sowali Lukuwa, Shyam Pathar, Hatisila and Kilingghop.

In addition, three new illegal settlements – Amritpur, Kailash Nagar and Kangkan Nagar comprising people from Dhemaji district — have sprung up recently in the Khanapara reserve forest part of Amchang.

“We are initiating measures to prevent encroachment but these are inadequate. For better arrangements, we are in touch with the higher authorities, and are hopeful of a solution,” a letter from the office of the Guwahati Wildlife Division stated while answering some queries put under the RTI Act by Early Birds, a city-based environmental NGO.