HT Correspondent
TEZPUR, May 28: To clear over 21,000 bighas of the riverine areas of the second edition of the encroached animal corridor in the Orang National Park, a four-day-long massive eviction drive was taken up by the state government which started on Sunday morning.
Initially, the drive started in the areas that fall under the district of Sonitpur which will be continued for two days to send away the illegal settlers residing in the areas meant for animal corridors.
It is to be mentioned here that the national park was established in 1985 as a sanctuary covering an area of 79.28 square kilometres and in 1999, it was declared as a national park. The park has an area of 79.28 square kilometres.
On the first day, from a temporary camp set up near Singri Gupteswar Temple, the Sonitpur district administration launched an eviction drive in Biskhuti Char, Thengbhanga Char, Sardar Char, Pansu Char and Tengakhuti Char.
On the second day, the eviction drives will be conducted in Muslim Char, Sadutilla Char, Sitalmari Char and Singri Char. Sonitpur district administration conducted the eviction drive with the help of tractors and machine boats engaging security personnel and forest guards.
Sonitpur DC Deba Kumar Mishra; chief conservator of Forests, Assam, MK Yadav and other higher officials of the administration were also present at the time of operation.
Sonitpur DC Deba Kumar Mishra informed that most of the families in the areas had left the area peacefully before the eviction drive started as they were served notices to leave the area.
