Alipurduar, Nov. 11 -- The state Forest department has taken up two major initiatives to ensure safer wildlife movement along the India-Bhutan border and provide relief to fishermen affected by river pollution. Forest minister Manoj Kumar Oraon has proposed an elevated wildlife-friendly corridor connecting Kumargram Tea Estate with Bhutan's Satrangi Hills. He has also sought government assistance for fishermen affected by the mass death of fish in the Sankosh and Gholani rivers.
In a letter to Public Works Minister Ajay Kumar Poddar, Oraon urged the department to consider the corridor proposal on priority. The Alipurduar District Magistrate had forwarded the project proposal to the PWD on September 25. Advanced technology is also being considered to monitor wildlife movement. The project could reduce human-wildlife conflict and boost cross-border connectivity and tourism. Meanwhile, following the mass death of fish on October 30, allegedly due to polluted water flowing downstream from Bhutan, the minister has sought financial assistance for affected fishermen in Alipurduar and Cooch Behar districts. He has also requested the release of adequate fish stocks into the rivers.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.