Forest clearance not sought to divert part of Assam wildlife sanctuary, NGT told

Sub: Env

Sec: Protected Area

Context:

The Assam government did not obtain the required forest clearance for non-forestry activities in the Sonai-Rupai Wildlife Sanctuary.

Details:

The Ministry informed the NGT that it did not receive any proposal for forest clearance for activities in Sonai-Rupai, though such activities require approval under the Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 1980.
Assam’s Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) acknowledged that Sonai-Rupai and Charduar, along with three other protected areas—Balipara Reserve Forest, Senglimari Reserve Forest, and Naduar Reserve Forest—are under significant encroachment.

Sonai- Rupai Wildlife Sanctuary:

Located in the state of Assam in India.
It is located along the foothills of the Great Himalayan Range. The area was declared a sanctuary in 1998.
Four rivers flow through the sanctuary: Gabharu, Gelgeli, Sonai and Rupai.
Wildlife:
- Mammals: tiger, lesser cats, elephant, gaur, wild boar, pygmy hog, swamp deer and barking deer.
- Birds: white-winged wood duck, hornbill, pelican, and various migratory birds.
- Reptiles: python, Russell’s viper.

Source: TH