Assam CM orders inquiry into coal mining at Dehing-Patkai

Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal today ordered an inquiry into the allegations made against coal mining at Dehing-Patkai wildlife sanctuary. Retd. Justice of Gauhati High Court Justice Brajendra Prasad Kataki is entrusted with the responsibility to conduct the inquiry.

Earlier, Assam govt has decided to upgrade Dehing Patkai Wildlife Sanctuary as a National Park. CM Sonowal said, “Our Govt has decided to upgrade the Dehing Patkai Wildlife Sanctuary in Assam, which is home to a vast variety of flora and fauna, to a National Park. In a meeting with senior officials in Guwahati today, I have directed them to take necessary steps in this regard”.

Also read: Assam govt requests eligible patients to donate plasma, assures ‘special treatment’

Dehing Patkai controversy in Assam

Earlier, the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) gave the approval of a coal mining project to Coal India Limited (CIL) in the Saleki Proposed Reserve Forest (PRF) in Assam, which is a part of the greater Dehing Patkai Rainforest. The NBWL is under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) and the meeting was chaired by Union Minister Prakash Javedekar.

Following the decision by NBWL, the environmentalists, civil societies, and student communities have vehemently opposed the move. Twitter campaigns have been run by various groups that have put commendable constraints. The media has also reported about the developments. The opposition mounted pressure on the govt to which Assam CM has directed the state Forest Minister to take stock of the situation.

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