Skip to main content

Protest against Dehing Patkai Wildlife Sanctuary:



Dihing patkai coal mining 





DOOMDOOMA: Environmentalists have intensified their protest against the decision of National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) for coal mining in Saleki of the Dehing Patkai Elephant Reserve here.

The protestors have urged the Prime Minister of India, the Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change of India, the Chief Minister of Assam and the NBWL to stop any current and future coal mining project in Saleki and the whole of Dehing Patkai Elephant Reserve, stating that legal and illegal coal extraction is having and will have catastrophic consequences for the whole ecosystem of the region.

Due to the ongoing lockdown various NGOs and environmental activists have launched a protest campaign against this issue through social media. Some among them have also begun a signature collection campaign.

It can be mentioned here that the Dehing Patkai region is already threatened by high polluting industries, such as coal mines, oil refineries , gas drilling , affecting the biodiversity of the region.

"Though the NBWL has allowed the coal mining project on April 7 , 2020, but, illegal mining of coal has been going by the coal mafias in the forest for long affecting the biodiversity of this virgin forestland" , alleged the environmental activists.

The Dehing Patkai Elephant Reserve — of which Saleki is a part — is the largest rainforest in India. It stretches for 575 square kilometres across Tinsukia, Dibrugarh and Sivasagar districts in Upper Assam. This virgin forestland is also referred to as the 'Amazon of the East'. The biodiversity of this forestland is very rich and unique.

Among the varied animal species living here are the hoolock gibbon, slow loris , pig - tailed macaque , stump-tailed macaque, capped langur, Indian leopard , Asian elephant, Bengal tiger, gaur, Chinese pangolin, Himalayan black bear, Himalayan squirrel, leopard cat, clouded leopard, porcupine, crab-eating mongoose, sambar, sun bear, binturong, barking deer, golden cat, and marbled cat. The Dehing Patkai Elephant Reserve hosts around 293 different species of birds as well. Among the common reptiles found here are the rock python, king cobra, Asian leaf turtle, and monitor lizard. Moreover, as many as 30 species of butterflies and over 100 species of orchids thrive in this beautiful tropical vegetation.

Amidst the nationwide lockdown in wake of COVID-19 pandemic, the National Board for Wildlife ( NBWL ) in its 56th meeting held on April 7, 2020 through video conferencing under the chair of the Prakash Javedkar, the Chairman of NBWL and the Minister of Forest, Environment and Climate Change of India approved a coal-mining project in the Saleki proposed reserve forest which is a part of the Dehing Patkai Elephant Reserve. The NBWL's standing committee had discussed the proposal for use of 98.59 hectares of land of Saleki, proposed for a coal mining project by North Eastern Coal Field ( NECF ) — a unit of Coal India Limited— and gave nod to it. The NBWL is under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change ( MoEFCC ).

Earlier, the NBWL in its 54th meeting, also constituted a panel with Prof R Sukumar, a member of NBWL as its head to visit the proposed Lekhapani Open Cast Project under the Lekhapani Range of Digboi Forest Division in Tinsukia district. As per the report submitted by the panel, the Standing Committee of NBWL recommended the proposal for broken up area (57.20 hectares) for approval subject to submission of a rectified site specific mine reclamation plan in consultation with the Forest Department of Assam. On the other hand, for the unbroken area (41.39 hectares), the NBWL will consider the matter after the User Agency submits a feasibility report for underground mining and compliance report regarding fulfillment of all other conditions recommended by the NBWL.

This recommendation for coal mining in the forest by the NBWL has been strongly opposed by the nature lovers, environmental activists and NGOs.The protestors have opined that while giving recommendation for coal mining in the forest, the NBWL has overlooked the fact that this is a 'Protected Area' and that " it should be conserved and protected from any destructive activities to ensure the country's ecological and environmental security".


Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Kaziranga national park, Assam- everything about kaziranga national park

Kaziranga National Park and  Tiger Reserve All those who have thought Indian one-horned rhinoceros only existed in Jurassic-era, then a trip to Kaziranga is a must for them. One of the most sought after wildlife holiday destinations in India, Kaziranga National park’s 430 square kilometer area sprinkled with elephant-grass meadows, swampy lagoons, and dense forests is home to more than 2200 Indian one-horned rhinoceros, approximately 2/3rd of their total world population. Formed in 1908 on the recommendation of Mary Curzon, the park is located in the edge of the Eastern Himalayan biodiversity hotspots – Golaghat and Nagaon district. In the year 1985, the park was declared as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. It is said when Mary Curzon, the wife of the Viceroy of India – Lord Curzon of Kedleston, visited the park to see Indian one-horned rhinoceros; she wasn’t able to found even one. Then she persuaded her husband to take urgent measures to protect the dwindling ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Most beautiful places in india - top 5 places in india

Most beautiful places in india India is as diverse as it is vast. It is also a country that sees many cultures come together, celebrating their differences and living in harmony. Similarly, there are varied locations in India that emphasize the beauty and diversity of the country.🇮🇳 1. Yumthang Valley, Sikkim – The Bowl Of Flowers On top of our list of the beautiful places in India is  Yumthang Valley , the bottomless vale with a remarkable variety of flowers to boast of. It offers an eye-catching vista of peaks along with  Pauhunri  and  Shundu Tsenpa . The valley is an amazing treat where you would become the element of the ceaseless picture exclusive of any sort of infringement. 2. Manali Manali is a town located in the valley by the Beas River. It is enveloped by the Pir Panjal mountain range to its east. Most people come here to relax in the villages nearby, where you can experience a bit of hippie culture. Adventure enthusiasts are...
Post a Comment
Read more

Unknown facts about indian army

The Indian Armed Forces, consisting of the Indian Army, the Indian Air Force, the Indian Navy and the Indian Coast Guard are India’s shield and sword, which keep our interests safe, our enemies at bay and the people of our country secure and free. They are respected and adored for their valor and sense of duty by the entire country. Many of us would know about their triumphs and stellar contributions to civilian life. But here are a few facts which will increase your respect for the Indian military ten-fold. 1. India controls the highest battlefield in the world, the Siachen glacier, at 5000 metres above Mean Sea Level (MSL) 2. India has the biggest "voluntary" army in the world. All serving and reserve personnel have actually “opted” for service. There is a provision for conscription (forced recruitment) in the constitution, but it has never been used. 3. Indian soldiers are considered among the very best in high altitude and mountain warfare. The Indian army’s...
Post a Comment
Read more