Guwahati (The Stellar News): Nature’s Beckon, an environment activist group of northeast India welcomes the decision of Assam government to expand the area of Dehing Patkai Wildlife Sanctuary and its subsequent up-gradation to a National Park.
The conservation group also appreciates State chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal for his affective role in paving the way for preserving the forestland as Dehing Patkai National Park comprising the most beautiful Jeypore rainforest. It also acknowledged the
efforts of countless supporters, forest lovers and well wishers for realising the mission.
“The protection of 231.65 sq km of the largest tropical rainforest of Assam as a National Park is revolutionary event in the history of nature conservation in India,” said Soumyadeep Datta, director of Nature’s Beckon, which introduced the people of India this rare rainforest patch of Assam for the first time. He added that since 1994 the organization started mobilizing a public movement to raise voices for complete protection of this rich rainforest. In fact, the movement was known as the ‘rainforest conservation movement of Assam’.
In 2004, a small portion of the rainforest was given the status of a wildlife sanctuary even though the most luxuriant part Jeypore reserve forest was kept outside the sanctuary. According to the group, Jeypore rainforest alone gives shelter to over 200 elephants and it is an ideal natural habitat for Hoolock Gibbons. Other notable wildlife species Slow Loris, Gaur, Tiger, Leopard, Clouded Leopard, Golden Cat, Fishing Cat, Marble Cat, Sambar, Hog Deer, Sloth Bear, Binturong, Sotted Linsang, Sultan Tit, Hill Myna, Green Imperial Pigeon, Mountain Hawk Eagle, Oriental Pied Hornbill, Great Hornbill, White Winged Duck, Yellow Monitor, Burmese Python, etc.
The evil nexus of some politicians, government officials and a section of individuals existed to destroy Jeypore reserve forest for their selfish interests. The present government led by Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) in Dispur took a decisive stand against the coal, crude oil and timber mafias. The group here remembers the positive commitments by Coal India Ltd and Oil India Ltd towards nature conservation. Nature’s Beckon offers heartfelt thanks to State forest minister Parimal Suklabaidya, BJP’s top leader Phanindra Nath Sarma, saffron party spokesperson Pabitra Margherita, State publication board secretary Pramod Kalita, State tourism development corporation chief Jayanta Malla Barua, CM’s media advisor Hrishikesh Goswami for their relentless efforts to make it happen.
At the same time, it offers gratitude to Assam’s principal chief conservator of forest Arvind Madhav Singh along with many responsible officials including Dibrugarh divisional forest officer Pradipta Barua, former Digboi divisional officer Ashikur Rahman and present officer TS Ranjit as well as all forest guards and casual workers both the divisions. It also appreciations acclaimed author Homen Borgohain, novelist Anuradha Sarma Pujari, science writer Dr Parama Mahanta, writer Bipul Deuri, Pankaj Gobinda Medhi, educationists Dr Jagadindra Roy Chowdhury, Dr Bharat Kalita, Dr Balen Das & Bharati Dutta, actors Tapan Das, Barnali Pujari, Kopil Bora, Arun Nath & Debojit Mazumdar, film maker Diganta Mazumdar, artists Dadul Chaliha, Rabin Bar, etc.
Finally, Nature’s Beckon conveys it’s thanks to former wildlife warden Indrajit Dutta, AIR officer Lohit Deka, former Asom Sahitya Sabha president Paramananda Rajbongshi, Kaziranga Foundation chief Bhaskar J Baruah, medical practitioners Dr Pranay Phukan, Dr Narayan Upadhayay & Dr Shantanu Lahkar, journalists Rupam Barua, Nava Thakuria, Ron Duarah & Ajit Patowary, social worker Ajoy Dutta, Pranab Kumar Bora, etc.
