RailEnquiry

GUWAHATI, Jan 23 – A new initiative will seek to ensure regeneration of forest land in hilly areas of Karbi Anglong district with the aim to improve ecosystem benefits for nearby communities. This was informed by well-placed sources in the State Forest Department.
“The primary intent is to have biodiversity conservation in the hilly terrain that has seen severe degradation due to natural processes as well as human interference,” the official based in Diphu said.

The Forest Department will tie up with a nationally known NGO to initiate the process in the coming days which will include a seminar. The Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council is supporting the initiative with the overall objective of developing the environmental landscape of the region on which the local communities depend for the most basic of services.

As part of the endeavour, a massive plantation drive will also be organised. The stress will be on planting a large number of mixed hardwood species, and also some non-timber species. Plans are afoot to plant trees in 700 hectars inside the Dhansiri Forest Reserve with the participation of local communities under the guidance of the Forest Department.