Guwahati, 20 February (HS): On Thursday, the third day of the budget session of the Assam Legislative Assembly, in response to a question raised by AIUDF MLA Aminul Islam on the issue of demarcation of boundaries of Budhachapari Sanctuary, Forest and Environment Minister Chandra Mohan Patwari informed that the boundaries of Budhachapari Sanctuary are 4406 hectares. On July 11, 1995, the Assam Government Ordinance No. ERW. 31/92/PT/15 determined the boundary through Section No. 26A of the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 and an additional 19,500 hectares of area was added for the first time on February 13, 2023.

The minister also informed that no farmer's land has been illegally acquired in the Budhachapari Sanctuary and Konsamara Reserved Forest area, but apart from this the Konsamara Reserved Forest area is completely under the occupation of encroachers. He also said that the Forest Department has not disturbed the residents of any grazing area by changing the boundary.

It is noteworthy that while asking a supplementary question, MLA Islam had accused the Forest Department of forcefully evicting people of a community living in the grazing area.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash