Wildlife in MNP under threat of extinction

Aizawl, Sep 4 (UNI) The flora and fauna in the Murlen National Park (MNP) in northeast Mizoram near the Myanmar border are faqcing extinction, MNP sources from Murlen village said today.

''Hunters and wood cutters roam freely around the park and are a threat to the wildlife. The indolence of the state Forest department, entrusted to take care of the park, has rendered the 16-year-old MNP fragile and risky,'' they said adding that a local hunter had even boasted of killing 50 deer in the park within one year.

The MNP has its headquarters at Rabung village, about 20 kms from the park, which is inaccessible. Consequently, it cannot be well-protected from the few forest quarters at Rabung village, they said.

''Only one road linking Vapar and Murlen village is accessible.

Strangely enough, this steep and narrow road has been more frequented by hunters and smuggled wood-laden vehicles than those of the Forest department,'' president of the MNP Promoting Organisation Zomawia Khiangte said.

''Closure of the road is a must to check hunting and deforestation activities in the park. An alternative lifeline for Murlen village may be constructed to connect the metalled road of Hnahlan to Vapar.

''Besides, the headquarters of the park needs to be shifted from Rabung to Murlen, which is only three kms away from the park, to ensure better and closer vigil. Moreover, the strength of the forest guards posted in Murlen must be increased from the present four to at least 20-30,'' he said.

Concerned people, mainly from the village, had recently formed the MNP Promoting Organisation to safeguard the park, which is believed to have some of the rarest flora and fauna in the world.

UNI