KAYING, Nov 2: AdiSU-affiliated All Bori Students’ Union (ABSU) and the public of Payum circle in Siang district have vehemently protested the reported inclusion of forests and land of Payum circle under the Dihang Dibang biosphere reserve forest and the Mouling National Park.
The protestors on Thursday marched to the office of the Payum wildlife range forest officer (RFO) here and gheraod the office.
The ABSU said the people of the circle were unaware of the development and came to know about it only after the construction of the office of the RFO here.
“The people of Payum, devoid of road connectivity, are fully dependent on the forests, and jhum cultivation is one their main sources of livelihood,” the union said.
It demanded that the authorities concerned not curtail the traditional tribal rights that have been practiced since time immemorial.
Though Payum circle was created in 1956, it still does not have road connectivity and other basic facilities, the union said.
The protest march was also supported by the Siang District Students’ Union.
