Guwahati, 6th April: Reports of heavy encroachment in the Ripu-Chirang Reserve Forest in Assam have sparked concerns over massive deforestation and its detrimental impact on the ecological balance of the region.
The unauthorized intrusion and exploitation of forest resources are exacerbating the environmental degradation in Ultapani, Kokrajhar. This rampant encroachment raises questions about the role of local governance and political influence in facilitating such actions.
According to forest officials, 33 families have been evicted from the forest land, with prior warnings issued against building houses on the encroached land. The encroachers, mainly from Chirag, have been identified as major contributors to deforestation in the area. Shockingly, an estimated 25 bighas of forest land have already been illegally encroached upon.
The gravity of the situation is heightened by the global imperative to combat climate change and preserve biodiversity. The Ripu-Chirang Reserve Forest, teeming with precious flora and fauna including sal trees, wild elephants, peacocks, rare golden monkeys, forest poultry, and diverse butterfly species, faces an existential threat due to unchecked human encroachment.
Of particular concern is the encroachment in the Ultapani forest area of the Holtugaon division, where trees are being felled, forest resources exploited, and farming activities initiated on the forest land. If this deforestation persists, the verdant forests of Ripu Chirang Reserve Forest, vital for maintaining ecological balance and biodiversity, may soon vanish.
Urgent intervention is needed to halt further encroachment, protect the forest ecosystem, and ensure the sustainable management of natural resources for the well-being of present and future generations.
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