Upper Colony area in Miao declared ‘protected forest’

CHANGLANG, 18 Jun: The Changlang district administration has notified Upper Colony in Miao, alongside the medical road, as a ‘protected forest’ and has prohibited felling of trees and cultivation in the area for a period of 10 years.

Deputy Commissioner Dr Devansh Yadav in an order issued on Friday stated that Miao township is likely to face decrease in supply of water unless strict measures are taken urgently for the protection of the teak plantation area in Miao.

“As per report received from the local administration, teak plantation areas are shrinking due to land encroachment and vanishing at considerable rate due to illegal logging, etc, resulting in extinction of teak plantation/drying up of catchment areas and it is being felt necessary to protect such areas from unauthorized felling of trees, etc, to protect and replenish the soil and vegetation,” the order read.

“Under Section 12 (2) & (3) of the Balipara/Tirap/Sadiya Frontier Tract Jhum Regulation, 1947, the following area has been declared and notified as ‘protected forest’ and no person shall thereafter cut any trees or put the area under cultivation by any person for a period of 10 years in the notified area without the permission of the land conservator with immediate effect,” it read.

“Any person who intentionally disobeys or violates shall on conviction of such offences be punished with imprisonment of either description for one month or with fine or with both,” the order stated. (DIPRO)