GUWAHATI, June 5 ? State Forest Minister GC Langthasa today said that due to encroachment, the area under notified forests in the State has gone down to an alarming 16 per cent in terms of closed forests which is well below the norm of 33 per cent recommended by the national Forest Policy. He was speaking at a function organised on the occasion of World Environment Day by the Department of Science and Technology and Environment, at the Ravindra Bhavan here today. Terming encroachment in forest areas as a major irritant in forest management as well as in maintenance of the eco-system, Langthasa said, ?It is impossible to restore the lost forests to its original form and that is why everybody should extend a helping hand to the Forest Department in greening the State through massive afforestation.? He also expressed concern that economic development in the last few decades has shown utter disregard to the ecological issues, and consequently, different eco-systems have been subjected to stresses and strains beyond their limit of sustenance, especially in the developing countries. ?Development at the cost of forest eco-system may lead to increase in GDP for a short time, but will ultimately result in destitution of the people in the long run,? he continued.
Science and technology and Environment Minister Pradyut Bordoloi said that an organised racket was involved in massive deforestation activities on the North Bank from Kokrajhar to Dhubri. Expressing concern that massive deforestation over the past 12 to 15 years has taken a heavy toll on the forest resources of the State, Bordoloi said it is high time a concerted effort was made to protect whatever little has been left in the name of wilderness. Lamenting that Namfai rain forest in his own constituency was under the grip of encroachers, he said the Government has already started an awareness campaign involving all the people on the need to protect nature and environment. ?We intend to educate even the encroachers so that they realise the danger of destruction of forests,? he added. ?Hopefully, there has been a growing realisation in this regard and the movement of earth protection is gaining momentum the world over,? he said. On the eviction drive, he appealed to all concerned not to politicise the issue because the very survival of the city has been threatened by encroachment.
DN Burhagohain, Director of IIT, North Guwahati, said the society as a whole is responsible for the unabated deforestation going on in the State. People must be taught the alarming impact that deforestation is having on the earth, he said. Stressing the need for protection and judicious use of natural resources, he said the need of the hour is to find out and develop sustainable alternatives because natural wealth will not last forever. Others who spoke in the meet included Dr Lakshmi Nandan Bora, Chairman, Pollution Control Board, Assam, Dr Anil Kumar Goswami, Member Secretary, WWF-Indian (North-east Chapter) and M Malakar, Chief Conservator of Forests (Territorial)
Meanwhile, several organisations in the city observed the day with a variety of programmes. The Centre for Environment Education (CEE) North-East, in collaboration with an NGO, Kristir Kareng, performed street plays at Paltan Bazar and the State Zoo premises to highlight problems relating to environment and generate awareness on these vital issues. It also organised essay, poetry and painting contests in collaboration with ASTEC and Zoo authorities. The Assam Science Society, in collaboration with Guwahati Refinery, observed the occasion with a day-long programme.
The Institution of Engineers, Assam State Centre observed the day with the theme ?Give Earth a Chance? where Dr Dulal Goswami, Head of the Dept of Environmental Science, GU, Dr Parimal Bhattacharjee, Prof Department of Zoology, GU, Col Monoranjan Goswami and Dr Lakshmi Nandan Bora, PCBA Chairman spoke as appointed speakers. The Indian Water Works Association (IWWA) and the Civil Engineering Department jointly observed the day at the Assam Engineering College auditorium where K Bora, former DU Vice Chancellor was the chief guest. Dr KC Barthakur, the chairman of IWWA pointed out that only 10 per cent of the waste that we release can be absorbed by the earth and if this continues, the effect will be disastrous. The Regional Science Centre, Khanapara, All Assam Students Union, Kamrup district administration, Disaster Mitigation Society, Panjabari, and Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad, also observed World Environment Day.