Assam group opposes coal mining at Dehing Patkai Wildlife Sanctuary

A group comprising activists, academicians, research scholars, students and writers from Assam has issued a statement opposing coal mining at Dehing Patkai Wildlife Sanctuary in upper Assam.

The group in the statement signed by 235 individuals has urged the government to reconsider its decision to carry out coal mining in the wildlife sanctuary.

Here is the full statement:  

The government’s decision to begin coal mining in, what we may without any exaggeration call the ‘Amazon of the East’,  Dehing Patkai Wildlife Sanctuary, comes as a matter of great shock and outrage especially at a time when the whole world witnesses trying times.

Compounded with the COVID-19 pandemic in combating which we are already into the fourth phase of a nationwide lockdown, it has rightly occasioned mass hysteria because Dehing Patkai houses in its 111.19 sq. kilometres shelter countless varieties of flora and fauna rare in its species variety.

The ministry of environment and forest considered the proposal of environmental clearance for Tikak Extension Open Coal Mine Project. But the project falls within the Dehing-Patkai Elephant Reserve of Digboi Division. The proposed site of diversion is part of Lekhapani Reserve Forest and also falls in Dehing-Patkai Elephant Reserve.

One fears that mining activities would not only impair the ecology but also adversely affect the cultural heritage of the state.

On this International Day of Biological Diversity, we urge the government to reconsider its decision sooner than ever, for the environmental welfare of the region. After all, we are because the trees are!

Signatories: 

• Kaushik Talukdar, Marburg University, Germany
• Bipul Deka, South Korea
• Namita Sharma, South Korea
• Parthajyoti Das, USA
• Mrinaljyoti Mahanta, North Carolina State University, USA
• Tanmoyee Rani Neog, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi
• Priyadarshika Medhi, Sociology, Cotton University
• Jahnu Bharadwaj, IIT Gandhinagar, Gujarat
• Aswini Phukan, Cotton University
• Ankur Ranjan Phukan, Sociology, Cotton University
• Indranil Gayan, Nagaon
• Dipti Kurmi, Tinisukia
• Jintu Thakuria, Cotton University
• Priyanka Chakravorty, Gauhati University
• Siddheswar Das, Guwahati
• Rima Bora, Biswanath Chariali
• Biju Deka, Biswanath Chariali
• Kaushik Raj Hazarika, Guwahati
• Nandita Phukan, Sabuwa
• Ipshita Priyam Pujari, Gohpur
• Sayanika Changmai, Gauhati University
• Uday Baruah, Guwahati
• Ajay Das, Dibrugarh
• Manalisha Phukan Roy, Chirang
• Mercy Hazarika, Asst. Professor, Social Work, MSSV
• Gaurav Bikash Bhuyan, Gauhati University
• Anjan Jyoti Deka, Guwahati
• Anindita Vatsayan, Teacher, Sepon College
• Abhilash Kaushik, Dergaon
• Bed Prakash Dutta, Guwahati
• Dibya Dutta, Moran, Dibrugarh
• Rupam Baruah, Sociology, CottonUniversity
• Anamika Borah, BEd, Dibrugarh University
• Pranamika Gogoi, Gauhati University
• Bhaswati Sharma, Nalbari
• Ananya Kashyap, Nalbari
• Himanka Kakoti, Cotton University
• Panchanan Hazarika, Research Scholar, Dibrugarh University
• Ajitabh Hazarika, Tezpur University
• Biswajit Baishya, Gauhati University
• Niranjan Saikia, Darang
• Chiranjeeb Gogoi, Asst. Professor, Geology, Dibru College
• Samsul Huda Patgiri, Photo Journalist, Guwahati
• Amarjyoti Borah, Research Scholar, Applied Geology, Dibrugarh University
• Rekibul Haque, Nalbari
• Sanjit Kumar Bordoloi, Writer, Columnist
• Sristi Shreyam, Jorhat
• Karishma Talukdar, Pub-Kamrup College, Kamrup
• Ananya Borah, Jorhat
• Rekha Rani Devi, Asst. Professor, GauhatiUniversity
• Antara Saikia Jorhat
• Sanjib Sahoo, Tezpur University
• Parikshit Sharma, Research Scholar, Tezpur University
• Siddhant Medhi, Research Scholar, Tezpur University
• Bornil Jonak Phukan, Research Scholar, Tezpur University
• Priyanku Hazarika, Research Scholar, Tezpur University
• Tulika Gogoi, Research Scholar, Tezpur University
• Akhayarika Parashar, Research Scholar, Tezpur University
• Smaranika Chakravorty, Tezpur University
• Nirmali Saikia, Tezpur University
• Kushmita Devi, NERIE, Shillong
• Madhurjya Goswami, Tezpur University
• Papori Haloi, Tezpur University
• Kakoli Das, IIT Guwahati
• Gunakanta Ghorachuwa, Tezpur University
• Prerna Doley, Tezpur University
• Joyshri Pathak, Tezpur University
• Krishna Nath, Physician, Majuli
• Jolly Saikia, Mariani
• Mridupawan Parashar, Research Scholar, Gauhati University
• Akashdeep Deka, Tezpur University
• Amanda Indrani Yein, Tezpur University
• Anindita Hazarika, Majuli College
• Aishwarya Baruah, Tezpur University
• Kangkan Borah, Dhalabil
• Drishti Gogoi, Tezpur University
• Surabhi Ghosh, Tezpur University
• Rashmi Sonowal, NERIE, Shillong
• Pratiksha Duwerah, New Delhi
• Ankana Saikia, Research Scholar, Gauhati University
• Partha Sarathi Baruah, BEd., Dibrugarh University
• Anjan Phukan, BEd. Dibrugarh University
• Plabita Bordoloi, BEd. Dibrugarh University
• Manalisha Devi, BEd. Dibrugarh University
• Rajarshi Loying, Bokakhat
• Chandan Sahoo, BEd. Dibrugarh University
• Navaneeta Borah, BEd. Dibrugarh University
• Bhagyashri Kotoky, BEd. Dibrugarh University
• Rimpi Phukan, BEd. Dibrugarh University
• Mrinal Gohoi, BEd. Dibrugarh University
• Pritirekha Saikia, BEd. Dibrugarh University
• Puja Saikia, BEd. Dibrugarh University
• Ravi Yadav, BEd. Dibrugarh University
• Jayashri Das, BEd. Dibrugarh University
• Pompi Saikia, BEd. Dibrugarh University
• Dimpi Arandhara, BEd. Dibrugarh University
• Akhyai Jyoti Mahanta, Jorhat
• Tanushri Borah, Gauhati University
• Krishna Kalita, Nalbari
• Suprakash Das, Baksa
• Pallabi Goswami, Research Scholar,Rajiv Gandhi University,Itanagar
• Gitarthee Thakur,Teacher,Dergaon
• Maitreyee Patar,Research Scholar, Tezpur University
• Bishalakshi Sawarni,Research Scholar,Tezpur University
• Shreya Chetia,English and Foreign Languages University,Shillong
• Mrinmoyee Talukdar,Tezpur University
• Manash Pratim Haloi,NERIE,Shillong
• Mridupaban Rajkhowa, Physician, Majuli
• Sagarika Saikia,Tezpur University
• Basanta Hazarika,Majuli
• Ananya Baruah,Tezpur University
• Chayanika Gogoi,Tezpur University
• Gargee Gautam,Tezpur University
• Priyakshi Sharma,Tezpur University
• Sumpi Borah,National School of Drama,Tripura
• Juli Deogharia,Barhat
• Kasturi Gogoi, Sivasagar
• Sabira Wahid,Research Scholar,Christ University,Bangalore
• Manasi Phukan Mahanta, Assam University
• Manisha Gogoi, B.Ed.,Dibrugarh University
• Pinki Das,B.Ed.,Dibrugarh University
• Barnali Gogoi,B.Ed.,Dibrugarh University
• Sangita Bargohain,B.Ed.,Dibrugarh University
• Pranamika Borgohain,B.Ed.,Dibrugarh University
• Sampriti Dutta,B.Ed.,Dibrugarh University
• Simpi Kachari,B.Ed.,Dibrugarh University
• Abhijit Baruah,B.Ed.,Dibrugarh University
• Dipti Das,Kamrup
• Kabyashree Hazarika,B.Ed.,Dibrugarh University
• Kamal Saikia, Asst. Professor,Dr Birinchi Baruah College,Nagaon
• Nitu Moni Borah, Junior Lecturer,Sai Vikash Junior College,Guwahati
• Nirmal Boro,Teacher,Nalbari
• Aditi Gogoi,Jorhat
• Shantipriya Kotoky,Sivasagar
• Dr Navaneeta Bhuyan,Tezpur University
• Surbina Gupto,Dibrugarh
• Himangshu Borah,Jamugurihat
• Basundhara Choudhury,Delhi University
• Bhargab Hazarika,Narayanpur
• Pranjal Talukdar,Tezpur University
• Nibirjyoti Mriduta,Guwahati
• Rosy Baruah,Titabor
• Manisha Gogoi,Dibrugarh
• Amlanjyoti Dewry,Guwahati
• Sharmistha Dutta,Sivasagar
• Rashmi Borah,Tezpur University
• Pallabi Chetry,Tezpur University
• Papori Borah,Political Science,Guwahati University
• Jyotispal Deka, Tezpur University
• Dipak Borah,Tezpur University
• Sayed Mudassir Yasin,Tezpur University
• Kuranganayana Kalita,Tezpir University
• Manas Pratim Borah,Tezpur University
• Rajarshi Nath,Tezpur University
• Prajjalita Ray,Bonagaigaon
• Minhazur Rahman,Rangia
• Minhazul Islam,Rangia
• Prakash Yogi,Rangia
• Bhargab Pratim Bhattacharya,Rangia
• Isfakur Rasul,Rangia
• Farha Yasmin,Nagaon
• Priyanka Sharma,IIT Bombay
• Nilakshi Nath, USA
• Kalyani Rajkumari,NIT Shichar
• Parthajit Baruah,B.Ed.,Dibrugarh University
• Shovana Gogoi,JNU,New Delhi
• Shrutimala Das,Bongaigaon
• Ankita Saha, Tezpur University
• Ananya Kalita, Tezpur University
• Dikshita Raj, Tezpur University
• Minakshi Mandal, Tezpur University
• Rimjhim Baishya, Tezpur University
• Barasha Sarma,Cotton University
• Nabajit Barman,Cotton University
• Chayanika Borah, Tezpur University
• Nidhi Singha, Tezpur University
• Roshmi Rekha Borah, Tezpur University
• Rishmi Chaudhury, Tezpur University
• Rini Baishya, Tezpur University
• Bidisha Borpuzari, Tezpur University
• Ritamoni Chetia, Tezpur University
• Arpita Hazarika, Dibrugarh
• Sumonta Kakati, Baihata Charali
• Swapneel Bhowal, Tinsukia
• Sanjit Mandal, Tezpur University
• Munmi Saikia, Tezpur University
• Aarti Singh, Tezpur University
• Rhituraj Gogoi, Tezpur University
• Champak Das, Pathsala
• Krishna Chamuah, Tezpur University
• Gokul Chetry, Tezpur University
• Munmee Dutta, Tezpur University
• Upasana Handique, Tezpur University
• Anita Lama, Tezpur University
• Pronami Mahanta, Tezpur University
• Santu Dutta, Majuli
• Abishek Patiri, National Institute of Design R & D Campus, Bangalore
• Puja Borah, Tezpur University
• Sumi Das, Tezpur University
• Bini Borgohain, Tezpur University
• Protima Rani Das, Tezpur University
• Merina Basumatary, Tezpur University
• Trishna Jyoti Saikia, Tezpur University
• Dipok Saikia, Tezpur University
• Beauty Baishya, Tezpur University
• Dikhya Dey, Tezpur University
• Sangita Nath, Tezpur University
• Divyashree Sarmah, Tezpur University
• Mintu Boruah, Tezpur University
• Rima Das, Tezpur University
• Sujata Kakoti, Tezpur University
• Subheshya Sharma, Tezpur University
• Aparajita Devi, Tezpur University
• Anuraj Mahanta, Tezpur University
• Purnananda Neog, Tezpur
• Dipali Borah,Golaghat
• Niranjan Gogoi, Sivasagar
• Pranjal Boliyababa,Guwahati
• Malabika Kalita, Guwahati
• Parnjyoti Nath,Jorhat
• Jonmoni Das, Guwahati
• Luit Kiran Das, Lakhimpur
• Rita Khanikar, Jorhat
• Mallika Baruah, Golaghat
• Tushar Pratim, Tezpur
• Sumi Kakoti,Guwahati
• Simanta Sharma, Guwahati
• Dharitri Gogoi Phukan, Patsako
• Shilpishikha Baruah,Tinsukia
• Lija Lahon,Sivasagar
• Murchana Chutia,Sivasagar
• Versilisa Gogoi Bargohain,Jorhat
• Purnima Dutta,Tinsukia
• Mojammil Islam, Sivasagar
• Raktim Sharma, Tezpur