Karbi Students Association seeks clarity from government on KZP

Our Correspondent

Diphu, March 31 (EMN): The Karbi Students Association (KSA) of Simeon Rongphar on Thursday, urged the state government to come up with a clear definition on what will be the fate of those permanently settled indigenous people in and around Kaziranga National Park (KNP), as it was declared an eco-sensitive zone and an animal corridor.

In a press conference, Rongphar said the state government had already declared for creation of  an eco-sensitive zone and animal corridor 10 km in and around KNP for which several villagers inside Karbi Anglong living in the vicinity of KNP will be affected.

Villages like Kohora, Kothori, Panbari, Rongmongve, Mandu Bey, Harmoti Tokbi village and several more, which are under Duarbagori and Socheng Dhenta MAC constituencies are included in it, he added.

He said, “On one hand, we appreciate the government’s decision to declare the eco-sensitive zone so that wildlife can be protected and poaching of rhino and wild animals can be stopped. But in doing so, several villagers, who are living permanently for several generations will be affected”.

We want to know from the state government, what will be the fate of these villagers. Can they continue to stay on, do cultivation and build houses? But if the government’s intention is to harass the indigenous people and to grab their land just for the sake of protection of rhinos by setting up the eco-sensitive zone then the KSA will not agree, he added.

The KSA president also questioned that big tea gardens, resorts and hotels are not being affected and said that, “by creating the eco-sensitive zone, the govt. should not grab Karbi Anglong land and take away the land rights of the indigenous people living there”.

He also urged Chief Executive Member (CEM), Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC), Tuliram Ronghang to have a discussion with the state government on the matter so that the villagers living there are not affected.