Eco tourism
Diphu April 17: A holistic effort is on with a strong commitment for the conservation of biodiversity of Karbi Anglong district by fighting the antisocial elements working to divest natural resources. The effort is to deal with the organized criminals, plundering timber of the verging forest of this region which is serving as the Bramhaputra plains as biosphere.
Karbi Anglong forest is divided in three territorial divisions i.e. east, west and Hamren division. Authorities undertook some special drives against the tree choppers recently. The east division forest protection squad seized 27 vehicles and arrested 42 persons and seized 125 Cubic meters of timber. Correspondingly the west division forest team seized 37 assorted vehicles, 44 bicycles, 9 buffaloes, one elephant, and 4 horses. This division has recorded the most arrests of offenders. A total of 121 persons have been sent to judicial remand this year. A total of 605.92 cubic meters of timber has also been seized.
Comparatively the Hamran division bordering Nagaon district in west and Meghalaya and Dima Hasao in north and south acted less drastically. Authorities seized 21 vehicles, two mechanized boats, 2 tractors, and 20 buffaloes. They arrested 31 persons without any significant volume of timber recovered.
Karbi Anglong Forest Sanctuaries
For better protection and management of wildlife and natural resources, the forests of this district are divided into five wildlife sanctuaries and protected networks. The two elephant reserves are Kaziranga- Karbi Anglong elephant reserve with an area of 3270sq kilometers; and the Dhansiri – Lumding elephant reserve with an area of 2740 sq kilometers.
In mid-2011, the Indian army helped the west division forest team to protect its territory and sort out problems of illegal felling and to combat the miscreants inside the reserve forest especially in border areas. Within a short span of time, the force captured armed smugglers and poachers, and the action propelled a strong message to the wrongdoers.
Biodiversity Hot Zone
Karbi Anglong is a part of the Indo- Burma biodiversity hot zone. It includes the oriental zoological region. The lofty Singhason with its highest peak at 1357 meters, beside this many rivers , streams and other water bodies, and luxuriant vegetation, it is the home of different mammals, aquatic animals, avifauna, reptiles, burrowing animals, and rare species of butterflies. It is the home land of Gaur, Tiger, Leopard, Sambar, Hog deer, Hoolock gibbon, Capped languor, Black bear, sloth bear and Civets.
Themost prized animal of Karbi Anglong after the great one horned rhino is the Black Panther, which was captured in live camera trapping of wild animals by WWF in the periphery of Kaziranga national park, inside Karbi Anglong, on December 26th 2011 at 11. 46 P.M. The other treasure of Karbi Anglong discovered by WWF is the Royal Bengal tiger, the image of this magnificent creature was trapped in the same zone on December 30th 2011.
Eco tourism is the latest concept taken up by Karbi Anglong forest to protect ecology and environment. The Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council is initiating this sector classifying some places rich in flora and fauna and having cultural heritage of ethnic tribes. A group of amateur trackers led by Chief Conservator Forest, Abajit Rabha scaled the height of Singhason peak to assess the possibility of trekking this area for the tourists. The department also explored the scope of water rafting in various fast flowing rapids in west Karbi Anglong.
Honoring Lt. Bhuban Chandra Terang
The standing of one person can never be ignored, who took inventiveness in pumping new blood into the forest department functioning under Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council. He is Lt. Bhuban Chandra Terang, Executive Member of KAAC who held the charge of forest department. Right from organizing a bicycle rally for a study tour to Kerela, planting seedlings in the doorstep of villagers, leading the forest protection force in special campaigning against the poachers and timber smugglers, even in rubber rafting, he involved himself in everything.
Karbi Anglong Forest department is now perusing the legacy of its recent past with a larger aim.
