Kaziranga director seeks closure of mining on park’s edge in Karbi-Anglong
The Assam forest department has prompted to look into the cases of stone mining following a complaint by wildlife activist Rohit Choudhury to Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in October 2017.
The Director of Kaziranga National Park has sought closure of rampant stone mining in Karbi-Anglong Hills that is happening in violation of the Supreme Court’s orders. The park director has seconded the recommendations of the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of Eastern Assam Wildlife Division, who had flagged the impacts of the mining on wildlife corridors and highlands used by wildlife during floods in a site visit report.
The Assam forest department has prompted to look into the cases of stone mining following a complaint by wildlife activist Rohit Choudhury to Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in October 2017.
The park director has written to the state’s Chief Wildlife Warden seeking action against the mines. DNA has reviewed a copy of the letter. The director said he concurred with the findings of the DFO’s submissions and stated that he too observed rampant mining in Karbi-Anglong Hills.
“During my visit, I had observed rampant mining in areas located at distances below 1.5 km from southern boundary of Kaziranga national park. Mining was observed at nearly 11 spots. The mining is within 10 km eco-sensitive zone of Kaziranga Tiger Reserve in violation of Supreme Court orders,” the director said in the letter.
Her also mentioned that mining waste was dumped on stream beds and elephant dung was spotted along the stream bed, indicating the use of this path by elephants to migrate south from Kaziranga national park.
Last week, even the executive magistrate, Bokakhat, submitted an inquiry report on the mining and found that the mining and crushing activities were damaging the cultivation area and causing problems to the wildlife in Kaziranga. The report had also noted that it was having adverse impacts on sustainability of Kaziranga national park as a safe haven for wildlife as well as a tourist hub.
On Friday, Choudhury wrote to the state’s chief secretary urging immediate action against the mining activities that are violating Supreme Court’s 2006 order. Choudhury said that if the state authorities failed to action, he would be compelled to move Supreme Court due to the contempt of its past order prohibiting mining in eco-sensitive zone of national parks.