ANINI, Oct 16: Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (PCCF) Dr M Surya Prakash agreed to review the boundary of the Dibang Wildlife Sanctuary.
The PCCF responded to a public demand for rationalization of the sanctuary in a consultative meeting held here in Dibang Valley district on Wednesday.
Dr Prakash suggested a joint survey by the Forest department, the district administration and representatives of the public to determine the ‘accurate’ boundary of the sanctuary. He also suggested a concept of joint management of the proposed Tiger Project involving the NTCA, the Forest department and the local communities.
MLA Mopi Mihu reiterated the necessity of rationalizing the demarcation of the sanctuary. He said, “the people of Dibang Valley are not against the development initiatives,” and that “they are looking forward to boost the economic activity and create employment opportunities for the local youths through the proposed tiger projects.”
The Dibang Valley DC urged the PCCF and the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) to initiate the process of demarcation of the Dibang Wildlife Sanctuary within specific timeframe, for which the DC assured cooperation.
Earlier, Project-Tiger ADGF and NTCA Member Secretary Dr AK Nayak informed about the proposal to create tiger projects in the Dibang Wildlife Sanctuary and explained about the necessity and benefits of tiger conservation.
He also highlighted the economic opportunities that would accrue on creation of the tiger projects.
The Mishmi Elite Society and IMCLS welcomed the proposed tiger projects under Dibang Wildlife Sanctuary.
However, representatives of the public expressed their resentment that before the notification of Dibang Wildlife Sanctuary, due process of consultation with the public was not done due to which vast tracts of mithun grazing fields and community lands were ‘ignorantly’ included in the Dibang Wildlife Sanctuary.
The consultative meeting on conservation of forest, environment and wildlife in Dibang Valley district was also attended by CCF Gulab Singh, NTCA IGF WLongvah, NTCA Member Dr Amit Mallik and public.
