Govt to evict encroachers from Intangki National Park

Kohima, Mar 30: The Nagaland Assembly has decided to evict the encroachers from the Intangki National Park, state's lone National Park.

Replying to a query of the former Finance Minister and suspended Nagaland Peoples Front (NPF) member yesterday, Forest and Environment Minister Kheto said the park had been encroached by a large number of villagers from Bisempuikam area since 1992.

However, the government is awaiting a nod from NSCN-IM authorities for the proposed eviction due to presence of their cadres in the park.

Sources said the Forest department had attempted to evict them but the villagers filed two writ petitions in the Gauhati High Court on two different occasions, which was rejected.

Mr Kheto said the 2002 sq km National Park had an Elephant Project, for which the Centre had provided Rs 45 lakh to the state.

UNI