Kohima, September 18 (MExN): The Nagaland Government has directed the Chief Wildlife Warden and the Wildlife Warden, Dimapur, to evict all the encroachers from the new encroached areas inside the Intangki National Park. This was disclosed by Minister for Forest, Kheto today on the floor of the house while replying to starred question raised by MLA Vatsii Meru. The Minister said that the Forest department is coordinating with the district administration and police for carrying out eviction as early as possible, and the State government has agreed in principle to create company strength of Armed Forest Protection Force specifically for the protection of the Intangki National Park.
However, the department is handicapped to perform normal duties inside the Park due to the fact that NSCN-IM designated camp is located inside the Monglumukh Forest Colony which restricts the movement of the forest personnel on duty, the Minister also said.
A total area of about 1905 hectares has been encroached till date, with about 250 hectares new encroachment, Kheto also stated. Besides, Zeliangs in Beisumpuikam settlement, the encroachers in new encroachment are predominantly Sumis, with few other tribes, the Minister also disclosed. Dwelling on the history of encroachment, the Minister further revealed that sporadic encroachment started as early as 1983-84, but heavy encroachment started during 1992-93. The department carried out five major evictions from 1989-2002, he said.
Beisumpuikam villagers have approached the government with a proposal to exchange village land with a part of Park, and in 1995, the Cabinet had approved in principle the exchange of land, however, it is still yet to be finalized. The shifting of Beisumpuikam village inside the Park has encouraged the new encroachment, he said. During the year 2002 a group of encroachers tried to enter and settle inside the Park, but it was effectively evicted. However, in the latter part of 2006 a new group of encroachers made encroachment inside the Park and these encroachers are yet to be evicted, the Minister also added.
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