Shocking Revelations: Illegal Mining Rampages in Boko Hills Despite Tireless Task Force Efforts
Illegal mining activities persist unchecked in the Boko hills, particularly around Langkona village, despite the establishment of task forces by local authorities to combat the issue. This illicit mining was uncovered following a tip-off from a resident in Raimapur, a nearby village, who informed the authorities. The operations were clandestinely conducted at night, within the jurisdiction of the Bamunigaon Forest Range Office. Range Officer Aminul Islam revealed that during his investigation, the individuals claimed to possess the necessary permits for the activity. However, further verification unveiled inconsistencies, as local official Purna Langthasa of the Boko Revenue Circle confirmed that no mining permits had been issued during his two-month tenure.
A villager from Langkona expressed concern over the environmental impact, suggesting that the illegal mining contributes to global warming. The drastic change in weather patterns, with November temperatures warranting the use of fans and air conditioners instead of sweaters, underscores the destruction of the hills and the local ecosystem.
Some residents of Boko highlight that the forest department’s focus remains centered on National Highway 17, leaving rural areas vulnerable to illegal deforestation, charcoal production, human-elephant conflicts, and encroachments in reserve forests. Protection Range in-charge Chabin Das cited the lack of vehicles as a significant hurdle in effectively monitoring and curbing illegal activities in remote regions.
In an effort to address these escalating issues, Kamrup District Commissioner Deba Kumar Mishra has recently mandated the creation of seven task forces dedicated to curbing illegal hill cutting, sand excavation, and other unlawful activities within the district. These teams are tasked with conducting surprise inspections across areas such as Boko, Chaygaon, and Palashbari and will report their findings and actions back to the District Commissioner.
The Boko Revenue Circle task force comprises Circle Officer Dibas Bardoloi, Executive Magistrate Soma Roy, Range Officer Bhargav Hazarika, alongside police and forest department officers. The Chaygaon Revenue Circle team is led by Revenue Circle Officer Chiranjit Das with support from a similar multi-departmental team.
Original Story https://www.indiatodayne.in/assam/video/assam-illegal-mining-rampant-in-boko-hills-despite-task-force-efforts-1121332-2024-11-15?utm_source=rssfeed
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Publish Date: 2024-11-15 15:29:00
