Mrudul Godbole
20-07-2010, 02:21 PM
Proposal to allow fishing, grazing inside KNP opposed
Correspondent
KOHORA, July 16 – The Kaziranga National Park authorities have opposed the suggestion made by Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti to the members of the National Committee for Forest Rights Act to allow the people living in the vicinity of the park the liberty of fishing, grazing cattle, collecting thatch and getting possession of land inside the park.
The Kaziranga National Park is a World Heritage Site and above all a tiger reserve with the highest density of tigers in India. It is one of the parts of the mega biodiversity hotspot (entire eastern sub-Himalayan region that covers the forests of North east India).
Addressing reporters at the Director’s office, the officials of the park said that under no circumstances, vested interests would be allowed to go inside the park and perpetrate their activities. Officials also appealed to all sections of the people not to get misled and influenced by the false allegations, information and promises made by the Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti. Otherwise, Kaziranga’s rich and diverse forms of flora and fauna would be greatly affected and finally the park would lose its status of a “well managed” national park.
It is to be noted that the socio-economic condition of the people in Kaziranga and adjoining areas is said to be better than other parts of Assam due to tourism and other associated activities since a lot of visitors, both domestic and foreign, come to Kaziranga National Park to see the diverse forms of wildlife. Tourism would be affected and thereby the economic condition if vested interests are allowed to move inside the park for fishing, grazing and other activities. This will affect the conservation process which has been continuing since the last 100 years. Poachers, who at any moment of time, try to take the advantage of the situation, will simply finish off the pride of Assam, the rhino and also other wild animals like the tiger which has a great demand in the international market for its hide, claws, etc.
A lot of sacrifices have been made by the forest guards of Kaziranga for its protection which should not be allowed to be compromised at any cost.
Link- http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/detailsnew.asp?id=jul1710/state05
Correspondent
KOHORA, July 16 – The Kaziranga National Park authorities have opposed the suggestion made by Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti to the members of the National Committee for Forest Rights Act to allow the people living in the vicinity of the park the liberty of fishing, grazing cattle, collecting thatch and getting possession of land inside the park.
The Kaziranga National Park is a World Heritage Site and above all a tiger reserve with the highest density of tigers in India. It is one of the parts of the mega biodiversity hotspot (entire eastern sub-Himalayan region that covers the forests of North east India).
Addressing reporters at the Director’s office, the officials of the park said that under no circumstances, vested interests would be allowed to go inside the park and perpetrate their activities. Officials also appealed to all sections of the people not to get misled and influenced by the false allegations, information and promises made by the Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti. Otherwise, Kaziranga’s rich and diverse forms of flora and fauna would be greatly affected and finally the park would lose its status of a “well managed” national park.
It is to be noted that the socio-economic condition of the people in Kaziranga and adjoining areas is said to be better than other parts of Assam due to tourism and other associated activities since a lot of visitors, both domestic and foreign, come to Kaziranga National Park to see the diverse forms of wildlife. Tourism would be affected and thereby the economic condition if vested interests are allowed to move inside the park for fishing, grazing and other activities. This will affect the conservation process which has been continuing since the last 100 years. Poachers, who at any moment of time, try to take the advantage of the situation, will simply finish off the pride of Assam, the rhino and also other wild animals like the tiger which has a great demand in the international market for its hide, claws, etc.
A lot of sacrifices have been made by the forest guards of Kaziranga for its protection which should not be allowed to be compromised at any cost.
Link- http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/detailsnew.asp?id=jul1710/state05