Maksam Tayeng

PASIGHAT, Aug 24: Demanding re-settlement of original boundary of D. Ering Memorial Wildlife Sanctuary, a peaceful rally of fringe villages of the sanctuary covering left bank side of the Siang River like Sigar, Raling, Motum, Ngopok, Kiyit, Borguli, Seram, Namsing, and Mer was held today.

 

The rally was organized by Adi Students’ Union (AdiSU) which on behalf of the public had submitted a representation to the Dy. Commissioner, Pasighat and Divisional Forest Officer, Wildlife division earlier demanding re-organization of original boundary of the sanctuary. More than 300 people participated in the rally.

 

While narrating the problem of the villages, AdiSU Secretary IPR cum Chairman, Boundary Demarcation, DEWS, Kaling Tayeng said that the department of wildlife is encroaching on the public land at Jopong and other areas under Borguli and Sibiya Range of D. Ering Wildlife Sanctuary. AdiSU President, Nang Gao echoed that the department concerned didn’t conduct any public hearing at the time of expanding the boundary of the sanctuary which is a serious matter of concern for the villagers settled along the left bank side of the sanctuary. However, AdiSU in its previous representation to DC Pasighat said that they are neither against the Wildlife sanctuary nor against the nomenclature, but against the department for encroaching public land.

 

Receiving the memorandum from AdiSU, Tamiyo Tatak, Dy. Commissioner, Pasighat assured the agitating villagers and AdiSU leaders of constituting a committee to verify the original boundary of the sanctuary within 15 days. Tatak also assured to forward the same grievances to the Principal Chief Conservator of Forest, Itanagar and other ministries concerned.

 

On the part of DFO, D. Ering Wildlife Sanctuary, Tasang Taga said that the department has not encroached any public land. “The sanctuary boundary has been notified around 40 years ago covering the grassland part of the riverine island of the Siang River in which Jopong area came under core zone of the Borguli Range of the sanctuary and the boundaries as notified are unalterable”, added Taga. 

The DFO also said that some people are misleading the innocent villagers by saying the department is encroaching public land, but on the contrary department is only protecting the wildlife/animal reaching out to the river for water as the river flow has changed towards New Borguli, Seram, Namsing and Mer area.

 

DFO also appealed the general public including AdiSU leaders and government employees to help the department in protecting the wild animals of the sanctuary as it is the general asset of the public.