ITANAGAR, July 5: Chief Minister Pema Khandu expressed deep concern regarding the de-reservation of forests in the Itanagar capital complex and the state during a recent meeting held in Guwahati. The state government has already submitted a report on this matter to the Government of India (GoI), as stated by CM Pema Khandu in a press conference held at the Dorjee Khandu Convention Auditorium, Legislative Assembly, on Wednesday afternoon.
During the meeting in Guwahati on June 6, the state government presented the report through the Principal Secretary of Forest and PCCF. The meeting primarily focused on the reservation of forests in the entire North-East region, with discussions involving officials from the Government of India.
CM Khandu expressed hope that the GoI would carefully consider the problems faced by the state’s citizens for many decades due to issues related to reserved forests. The state government extensively consulted various senior citizens, political leaders, public figures, and others regarding the capital complex before making any decisions regarding the recommendation for reserved forests.
Khandu emphasized that the problem of reserved and de-reserved forests is not limited to the Itanagar region alone but is prevalent throughout the state. He further mentioned that the entire North-Eastern Arunachal region is grappling with similar issues.
The state government is now anticipating the forest amendment bill from the GoI. To scrutinize the details of the amendment, a committee has already been formed, the CM informed.
Addressing the issue of corruption in the state, CM Khandu assured the public that the government has adopted a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption. Legal action has been initiated against corrupt practices by the government over the past nine years. The CM emphasized that those involved in corruption will not go unpunished, as the government closely monitors individuals regardless of media coverage or seniority.
On July 4, the Aboriginal Tribal Inhabitant Villagers of Itanagar Capital Region (ATIVICR) demanded an early de-reservation of the Itanagar Wildlife Sanctuary. They stated that the current rationalization map, which includes an Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) covering an area of approximately 17.389 Sqkm, is completely unacceptable.
The IWLS (Itanagar Wildlife Sanctuary) has been improperly mapped, erroneously incorporating the Itanagar Capital Region and several villages without including the landowners and villagers during the mapping meeting held in the late 1970s. The proposed land areas for the reserve forest in Itanagar are entirely within the notified villages, as indicated in the 1961 census publication gazette notification by the Government of India (GoI) and the notifications of RF of Durpong reserved forest in 1976.
