Ensure Conservation Of Dibru Saikhowa NP: Gauhati HC

The Gauhati High Court on Wednesday ordered the Assam government to ensure steps are taken for the conservation of the Dibru Saikhowa National Park.

This comes after a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed in the high court regarding illegal construction and encroachment in the national park.

According to reports, a resort has been constructed illegally within the bounds of the Dibru Saikhowa National Park. Moreover, several instances of illegal encroachment have also been reported from inside the park.

In this regard, a PIL had been filed against the illegal construction activities and encroachment inside the national park. Hearing the matter today, the court ordered the authorities to ensure its conservation.

The court also directed the concerned authorities to ensure the security of eco-sensitive zones within the Dibru Saikhowa National Park. The Gauhati HC mentioned that there should be no lapse in this regard.

Earlier in the day, the Gauhati High Court ordered the Assam government to re-establish the families evicted during the drive at Dhalpur.

Also Read: Gauhati HC Directs Assam Govt To Resettle Evicted Families Of Gorukhuti

The court made the observations while hearing a petition filed by the leader of opposition in the Assam assembly, Debabrata Saikia, seeking the resettlement of those evicted at Dhalpur’s Gorukhuti.

It may be noted that as many as 700 families had been evicted during a major drive carried out by the administration against illegal encroachers in 2021.

Of those evicted, the government has already provided establishment to 600 families. The Gauhati HC today noted that the remaining 100 families will be able to approach the Darrang district commissioner to seek resettlement.

In addition, the court directed the Darrang commissioner to provide the necessary resettlement within the next six months.

Earlier in November 2021, the Assam government had clarified that relocation will be provided to the evicted families of Gorukhuti in the state's Darrang district, given that their citizenship is proved, apart from a set of other requirements.

Also Read: Gauhati HC Rules Out CBI Probe Into Assam Rifles Firing Incident of 2016