Nearly a month has passed since the news of illegal encroachers and settlers of Intanki Reserved Forest flashed the State Newspaper. In this regard I would like to state that it was acquired and declared as National Park to preserve the bio-diversity of the area. The State Government of Nagaland had series of discussions on it and accordingly an enactment was passed to declare it as Reserved Forest. The area is abound in Natural Fauna and Flora and is one of the most interesting and lovable place for Natural Safari with wild animals such as Elephants, sambhors, stags, deer, monkeys, tigers, bears etc.and it has also varieties of beautiful birds including the Naga Hornbills. The rivers and rivulets in the area are abounded in plenty of fresh water river fishes that make it one of the best areas in the State for natural habitat of wild life.
Some years ago when I visited the area, I met some of the Forest Guards and asked them whether they do kill the animals, birds, and fishes of the forest and eat them,. They replied that since the time the Govt, of Nagaland declared it as the reserved forest they do not like to kill and eat any animals, birds and fishes of the area. I also asked the then DFO Lt. Murry whether the Govt. of Assam also had declared it as National park on their side. He replied that both the Govt of Nagaland and Assam had discussed many times on the issue and agreed to declare it as reserved forest and National Park. Accordingly, for the Nagaland side, the Govt. of Nagaland is doing its best to protect and preserve the forest by deputing sufficient numbers of forest guards. But on the Assam side, no forest guards and foresters are found roaming in the area and because of this the hunters go to Assam side of the reserved forest and kill the animals and birds of the reserved forest. These killed animals belong to both Intanki of the Nagaland side Assam as the animals and birds go from one side to the other.
Since Govt. of Assam is not doing effectively in the area, not only the wild lives are destroyed by the hunters but recently five villages have come up in the reserved area.Most of the lands have been sold to the Nagas by obtaining No Objection Certificate from the High Court without the knowledge of the Govt. of Assam for settlement in the area.These Nagas started developing the areas and when the Govt. of Assam came to know about it, it sent forces to openly destroy the houses and villages in the area. In the scuffle, exchange of fire also took place and one Magistrate from Assam side was shot dead besides injuring others but so far no such news have been heard from the Nagaland side
When Lt. Rajiv Gandhi was the Prime Minister of India, he was very popular among the North East people and accordingly it was agreed that the Intanki Reserved Forest would be converted into National Park to be named as “Rajiv Gandhi Park”. In order to do so, it was agreed to do so, it was agreed to open up a good road from Dimapur to Mulamukh Village. The Contract was awarded to Ansari, Mohan Singh and party on a Turn-Key basis with a total Contract value of Rs 5.00 crores to be completed in one year. But unfortunately, before the completion of the road, Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated by the Terrorists and the proposal could not be materialized.
Therefore, it is the duty of the Govt. to protect and preserve the Intanki Reserved Forest and rename it as it was originally proposed (i.e. Rajiv Gandhi National Park).In no case it should go into the hands of the private persons those who have selfish interest in their minds to misuse public property for their personal benefits.
T.A. Ngullie
