Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Wednesday announced that the state government has decided to increase the forest reserve of the state by another 2,000 sq km.
Speaking at the concluding ceremony of the 66th Wildlife Week at Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalakshetra here on Wednesday Sonowal said Assam, which is famous for its clean and green ambiance, has to be re-strengthened with this new addition.
Sonowal also said the state government would set up an Institute of Wild Life Health and Research at Dinjan in Dibrugarh district.
Moreover, like Kaziranga and Manas National Parks, all the wildlife sanctuaries and reserve forest camps would be provided with solar lights and smartphones.
The Assam CM said the state government has already decided to set up a forest division at Borail range.
He announced that steps have been taken to link Dehing Patkai with Joypore and transform it into a National Park.
He also shared the government’s decision to announce the rain forest of Jonai as a wildlife sanctuary.
Sonowal said the state government has been taking a slew of steps for preserving the natural resources and wildlife of the state.
Emphasising the importance of flora and fauna in enriching nature, Sonowal said everybody should take the responsibility for the protection of plants and animals.
He also said as a result of the slew of measures, the rich bio-diversity of the state has been drawing wildlife enthusiasts from across the world to Assam.
Taking on the previous government for not doing anything substantial for stopping the rhino poaching, Sonowal said under the erstwhile government, the poachers turned the national parks and wildlife sanctuaries into their pasture lands.
However, the present state government immediately after coming to power took proactive steps for stopping rhino poaching, the CM claimed.
During the present state government’s rule, 240 poachers were handed exemplary punishments by setting up 10 fast track courts.
He also said the flow of tourists in the state has increased phenomenally as a result of neutralising the poachers and resultant increase of wildlife population in Assam.
Chief minister Sonowal also said the government’s uncompromising tirade against corruption will continue unrelentingly.
He also made it clear that politicians, government officers, who so ever is found indulged in corruption will not be spared.
Speaking on the occasion, environment and forest minister Parimal Suklabaidya said the state government has already planted 8 crore saplings in the state to contribute to the green coverage of the state.
He said nature is intrinsically associated with the culture of the state, therefore, everybody should take a collective pledge to protect wildlife.
Minister of state for tea tribe welfare Sanjay Kisan, while speaking on the occasion, gave a snapshot of different steps of the government for the protection and preservation of wildlife.