JORHAT: Activists of a number of organizations staged a protest at the Bokakhat SDO's office on Monday, seeking removal of the tiger reserve tag from Kaziranga National Park as they feel it would not only restrict their movement but also affect business. The park was declared a tiger reserve in 2007.
The Kaziranga Resort Association, the Bokakhat unit of Aaasu, Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuba Chatra Parishad, Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti and the Kaziranga Market Association took part in the protest spearheaded by the Kaziranga Jeep Safari Association. They have also sent a memorandum to Prime Minister Manmoham Singh and environment minister Jairam Ramesh seeking their intervention.
Kaziranga Jeep Safari Association president Punen Gogoi said, "We oppose the government's decision to make Kaziranga a tiger reserve in the greater interest of people living here. We have sought immediate intervention of the Prime Minister and enivironment minister."
He added, "Kaziranga is famous for the one-horn rhino and the government should take steps for its protection and conservation. We have welcomed the government's initiatives to conserve tigers through Project Tiger' scheme. But we never allowed them to turn the park into a tiger reserve as the restrictions that will follow will severely harm the tourism sector as well as business."
He said if Kaziranga becomes a tiger reserve, the national park will become a core tiger area and restrictions on jeep safaris, population eviction in adjacent areas and ban on private elephant safaris would be imposed. As a result, the tourism sector will be affected and thousands of people will lose employment.
"Our agitation will continue until our demands are fulfilled. The centre and the state government must revoke the decision immediately," he added.
The Union ministry of forest and environment had initiated a step to make Kaziranga a tiger reserve in 2007. Accordingly, the state forest department implemented a few projects at the national park. Kaziranga authorities have also imposed some restrictions on tourists and safaris. Besides, people have been directed to take NOCs in case of land purchase and sell.
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