Apang assures to activate forest department to contain deforestation

Itanagar, Mar 17 (UNI) Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Gegong Apang was assured the Assembly that the forest department would be activated by posting efficient officers.

While intervening during the question hour yesterday on members' concern over the massive felling of trees and encroachment of forest areas in the Capital Complex, he said Assam Forest Act, 1891 would be amended on receiving report of a house committee to make it more effective.

However, R K Khrimey, who heads the committee studying the act for amendment, informed that the existing laws were enough to tackle the encroachment problem. ''If no action was taken in Itanagar, what could be expected in other parts of the state?,'' he added.

Environment and Forest Minister Newali Tingkhatra earlier informed the Assembly that trees in Papu Nallah, Lekhi, Park area, circuit house, Naharlagun, Itanagar, Banderdewa, Khundakhowa, Nowbhanga, Karsingsa, Nirjuli areas have been felled. However, forest staffs were patrolling to protect plantations.

UNI