Kokrajhar, March 10: The Bodoland Territorial Autonomous District (BTAD) executive member Bishiram Narzary has taken up an extensive programme for saving the forests within the Bodoland administrative set-up. Narzary, who holds the forest portfolio in the BTAD, has conducted a series of surprise raids, resulting in the seizure of illegal timber worth Rs 1 crore.
The BTAD is blessed with the largest forest cover in the state with a national park at Manas and three wildlife sanctuaries at Orang, Bornodi and Chakrasila besides several other reserved forests. However, militants and timber smugglers have long infested these forests.
On a special raid on Wednesday, Narzary, along with forest department officials, seized six bullock carts and 31 wheelbarrows packed with valuable timber. The team seized last week two abandoned trucks loaded with timber in Kochugaon forest division, which was considered a major catch.
Narzary said he has been inspired by the co-operation from former Bodo Liberation Tigers (BLT) activists and members of the All Bodo Students Union (Absu) in conducting the programme. ?The surprise raids have yielded positive results and this will continue with public support,? he added.
?The operation against militants from the Northeast in Bhutan has eased the tension in the region. Hence, anti-poaching and anti-smuggling drives can be taken up now along with public awareness campaigns for re-generation of the forests. We need full co-operation from everybody to make the campaign successful,? Narzary said.