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Assam forest department recommends closure of mines next to Kaziranga

The forest department report echoes the report of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) who had flagged the impact of the mining on tigers, elephants and other wildlife in April.

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The Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of Eastern Assam Wildlife Division has recommended closure of stone quarries in Karbi Anglong Hills that are causing damage to the animal corridors and ecology surrounding the Kaziranga National Park (KNP) and Tiger Reserve. The report, sent to the field director of KNP and Chief Wildlife Warden, Assam, the DFO has details the adverse impacts of the mines. The report has come to light after Assam-based wildlife activist Rohit Choudhury obtained it under the Right to Information Act, 2005.

The forest department report echoes the report of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) who had flagged the impact of the mining on tigers, elephants and other wildlife in April.

In his report, the DFO has said that in the greater interest of the forest and wildlife of KNP and for long-term conservation of the UNESCO World Heritage site, authorities need to stop unscientific mining in the Karbi Anglong hills.

Broadly, the DFO has flagged the impact of the mining on wildlife corridors, natural streams and also the highlands that are used a refuge area by wild animals during monsoon floods. He has said that an independent inquiry into the quarrying revealed that they are situated right on the animal corridors and thus directly affect the animal movement and are also damaging natural floodplains of Kaziranga. "The mining areas are also frequented by wild animals from Kaziranga national park and tiger reserve, especially during flood season," the report said.

More importantly, the mining sires also fall within the eco-sensitive zone or buffer area of the KNP, which goes against the Supreme Court's orders.

"This matter is being investigated by the Supreme Court's Central Empowered Committee and top wildlife officials in the autonomous council of Karbi Anglong are surveying the mines. A report will be soon sent to the Chief Secretary," said NK Vasu, Principal Chief Conservator of Forest and Head of Forest Force, Assam.

Choudhury, whose complaint to the Union Environment Ministry in October 2017 prompted authorities to investigate the issue, said, "Government of Assam has taken no action to close down the illegal stone quarries operating in the Karbi Anglong hills. It has shown no seriousness to even implement the recommendations of report of National Tiger Conservation Authority from April." Choudhury has in fact faced threats following his complaint and had filed a First Information Report with the Bokakhat police seeking protection on grounds that "rich and powerful persons involved in illegal mining may try to cause physical harm to him and his family".

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