GUWAHATI, June 23 – In a move widely expected to accelerate the pace of conservation in the State, the State Government has notified three new wildlife sanctuaries (WLSs) – Amchang WLS, Dihing-Patkai WLS and Barail WLS – covering a total area of 516 sq km, and bringing the number of protected areas (including National Parks) in the State to 23. This is in addition to the two proposed sanctuaries, Deepar Beel and Bardoibam Beelmukh.

Of particular significance is the Dihing-Patkai as it has been formed out of the famed rain forests of Upper Dihing, Dirak and Joypur reserve forests (RFs) along...

GUWAHATI, June 23 – Following the tragic death of three elephants after being run over by a goods train, senior forest department and N F Railway officials today participated in a joint meeting to review the situation around railway tracks close to forest tracts.

The meeting convened by Conservator of Forests, Central Assam Circle R D S Tanwar, discussed preventive measures that could help stop trains coming into close proximity of elephants. In the meeting, the railway officials agreed to suitably regulate speeds of trains traversing through elephant habitats.

The meeting also helped...

SHILLONG, June 23 – Majority of 41-member Meghalaya council of Ministers today tendered their registration letters to Chief Minister DD Lapang to enable him to complete the mandatory ministry down-sizing exercise before the July 5 deadline.

Confirming the receipt of the registration letters, sources close to the Chief Minister said “a handful of Ministers who are yet to submit their papers are expected to comply with the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) resolution asking all the Ministers to submit their resignations by June 25 to facilitate Lapang to carry out the exercise smoothly”.

The...

GUWAHATI, June 23 – Even as Upper Assam continues to face the brunt of a sudden spurt in militant activity, there are signals that the ULFA might be preparing to step up the level of its activities in the Lower Assam districts as well. Indications are that the militant outfit is keen to make its presence in the western part of the State. Since the Bhutan operations last year, the outfit has been virtually inactive in Lower Assam, especially in districts like Barpeta and Nalbari that were once the hotbed of ULFA activity.

Sources here disclosed that instructions have been passed on by the ULFA...

Guwahati, June 22: After ignoring appeals from wildlife enthusiasts and NGOs for years, a jolted Assam forest department today urged the railways to impose speed limits in areas where rail tracks pass through animal corridors. The forest department’s appeal came a day after three elephants — an adult and two calves — were mowed down by a speeding goods train near Deepor Beel, raising the hackles of conservationists who blamed both the department and railways for the tragedy.

The Wildlife Protection Society of India, one of the premier agencies working in the field of conservation, termed the...