Dimapur, November 19 (MExN): Forest & Excise Minister, M.C.Konyak has expressed unhappiness over the rampant destruction of forests in Nagaland by unscrupulous people. The Minister during a visit to Intanki National Park today said that December 31, 2011 is the deadline given by the High Court to vacate the encroachments. He said that no person would be allowed to enter the Park without permission. The habitat, whatever, has been destroyed would be restored for the wild animals. The forest personnel recruited and trained in fire arms weaponry exclusively for protection of Sanctuaries and National Park would be deployed at vulnerable areas for round-the-clock duties, he said.
Accompanied by MLA, Azheto Zhimomi, Adviser, Co-operation & Sericulture, and a host of officials from the Administration, Forest and Police visited the Park to take stock of encroachment and to ascertain the feasibility of sustainable development and management of the National Park. The Minister, after going around the Park opined that, in spite of recurrent encroachments, the Park has still more than 80% of the wildlife habitat intact which harbours flagship species such as Elephants, Hoolock Gibbons, Bison, Hornbills, Bears, Deer, including varieties of endangered and rare species of animals and birds unique to the region which need immediate attention of management and protection.
The Minister said that the Park must be protected at any cost as it is the only wildlife heritage of the State. While interacting with GBs from the surroundings areas, the Minister cautioned them not to indulge in destruction of the ecosystem of the Park, otherwise, an appropriate action would be taken against defaulters and at the same time a big assistance would be extended to those who help the department in protecting the Park for the future posterity.
Accompanied by MLA, Azheto Zhimomi, Adviser, Co-operation & Sericulture, and a host of officials from the Administration, Forest and Police visited the Park to take stock of encroachment and to ascertain the feasibility of sustainable development and management of the National Park. The Minister, after going around the Park opined that, in spite of recurrent encroachments, the Park has still more than 80% of the wildlife habitat intact which harbours flagship species such as Elephants, Hoolock Gibbons, Bison, Hornbills, Bears, Deer, including varieties of endangered and rare species of animals and birds unique to the region which need immediate attention of management and protection.
The Minister said that the Park must be protected at any cost as it is the only wildlife heritage of the State. While interacting with GBs from the surroundings areas, the Minister cautioned them not to indulge in destruction of the ecosystem of the Park, otherwise, an appropriate action would be taken against defaulters and at the same time a big assistance would be extended to those who help the department in protecting the Park for the future posterity.
