Free forest land from encroachers, intensify drive against liquor from Arunachal: Suklavaidya 

Guwahati, July 3: Minister for Environment and Forest, Fisheries and Excise, Parimal Suklabaidya reviewed the activities of his three departments at Jeypore Forest IB in Dibrugarh district on Saturday. 
    Minister directed the CCF, Eastern Region, DFO and officials to take steps to remove encroachments from forest land. Of the five reserve forests in the district covering 10,967 hectares, 1,445 have been encroached. The department has given land pattas to tribal people of three villages on reserve forests and the process for three other villages is underway.
    The Minister asked the administration and forest officials to persuade the displaced tribal people of Laika to move to a suitable plot of land identified for them. 
    Suklabaidya directed the officials to stop felling of trees in reserve forest to prevent deforestation and to expand the green cover through mega plantations under the Green Dibrugarh initiative. 
    He underscored the need for conservation of Jokai reserve forest with its rich floral diversity. 
    The Minister asked the officials to undertake plantations in the district Under CAMPA. 
    Suklabaidya asked the Deputy Commissioner, Pallav Gopal Jha to release fund from DMFT for procurement of tree guards for protection of saplings. 
    The Minister asked the department to create new sand mahals to generate revenue. He ordered the officials to take action against those stacking sand outside the mining area. 
    He asked the department to continue the drive against illegal band saw mills. 
    Reviewing the status of Excise department, Minister Suklabaidya asked the officials to intensify the drive against liquor from Arunachal Pradesh and illicit sulai. 
    As the liquor from Arunachal Pradesh mostly come through Bogibeel bridge, the Minister asked the officials to set up a camp 24x7 manned by inspectors and assistant inspectors to check on the vehicles carrying liquor from the neighbouring state. 
    He directed the department to cancel the contract for the inordinate delay in construction of a fish feed mill amounting to Rs two crore.