Rare orchids destroyed in road works in tribal areas of Assam
Loharghat (KAMRUP): Seeing the destruction of biodiversity in the name of development in this environmentally sensitive tribal area, the Rava tribes have bulldozed hundreds of rare and exotic species of orchids.
Earlier this month, hundreds of trees were cut down to increase road connectivity under the state government’s ambitious Assam Mala scheme. But in the area of 10 km from Loharghat to Muduki, which is the center of tourist attraction, Chandubi Lake, the destruction of orchids more than trees has caught the attention of nature lovers.
Volunteers from Rengokaka, an organization for nature and avian conservation, quietly collect fallen orchids, while winning tenders for a road widening project carried invaluable logs by the contractor, which is expected to reduce travel time, from Mirza to Assam and Meghalaya to Meghalaya hills. As far as the natural lake of Hasang Autonomous Council. “We can only replace 30-40% of orchids. To them, it was just rubbish, ”said Rankoka chief Matiram Rava and the area’s award-winning bamboo maker.
Some of the valuable orchid cultivars recovered include Aria Laciopetala, Bulbophyllum crassips, Dendrobium muscatum and Pinalia bractacens. Orchid conservationist Ankur Raj Gogoi said Colon Trinervis, Plekantheria instifera and Aridus multiflora are rare.
“The damage is irreparable. The forest department should have planned to save the orchids. Aridus multiflora grows mostly on roadside large trees and is native to lower Assam. The species has been severely damaged,” Gogoi said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of Assam Mala before the last assembly elections. Under the project, state highways, main district roads and roads of economic importance are being developed.
Rengkoka’s efforts to conserve some species initially attracted the youth of Mirza and Dudhnoi in Goalpara district, when the project was launched earlier this month. The Forest Department got up late and tried to save some orchids, which found new life during the recent rains.
“Recently joining the Loharghat Range Office, we have planted some orchids in the office premises of Rani Social Forestry, Boko Social Forestry and Loharghat Forest Office. We gave some rubber students to replant around the lake, ”said Range Officer Shamim Akhtar.
Forest department sources said the destruction of biodiversity could continue if the government does not amend its policy of allowing private contractors to cut down trees. A forest official said, “Earlier, the forest department cut down trees without endangering biodiversity. But since the new rules were introduced, contractors have won online bids and are using biodiversity to cut down trees. It is alleged that it is destroying biodiversity.”
The range officer, however, said that it has been decided to appoint forest officers in the area to supervise the felling of trees.
Rare orchids destroyed in road works in tribal areas of Assam
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by News East India staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Also Read:- Demand for separation of Barak Valley from Assam is in full swing : Report 24 Oct 2021
