Intangki National Park encroachers to be evicted soon

Kohima, Sep 19 (UNI) Nagaland Forest Minister Kheto has admitted that some parts of the Intangki National Park under Peren district were encroached by tribals.

Replying to a query, the forest minister said here today said the department had not been able to evict the encroachers due to presence of NSCN-IM militant camps in the vicinity.

Mr Kheto also disclosed that so far 1,905 hectares of land had been encroached upon in the park, including 1,655 hectares by Beisumpuikum village and another 250 hectares by new encroachers.

People of Sema, Yimchunger, Phom, Chakhesang, Lotha, Sangtam, Ao and Konyak tribes had mainly encroached most of the park.

He said 416 huts were found during a joint verification conducted by the Deputy Commissioner, Superintendent of Police and Divisional Forest officer, Peren and Wildlife Warden, Dimapur on July 19 last.

Mr Kheto said the government had directed the Chief Wildlife Warden of Dimapur to evict all the encroachers immediately.

Earlier, the department had carried out five major eviction drives from 1989 to 2002, he informed.

UNI