Protests In Kaziranga By KMSS Against Non-implementation Of FRA

The demonstrators succeeded in getting large scale support from petty traders and entrepreneurs who earned their live by various opportunities provided by KNP. The demonstrators also succeeded in getting a written assurance from Chairman, SDLC that no eviction will be carried out with FRA being implemented and assured early implementation of FRA.

The KNP has recently been proposed as Critical Tiger Reserve. There has been wide spread resistance to this move. Yesterday's demonstration made it clear that without ensuring the FRA implantation, they will not allow any process to take place. Demonstrators ridiculed various conservationist agencies for their tactic support for converting KNP into CTH.

On the other hand, the Assam government is unwilling to implement FRA in KNP on several grounds: The following points make the issue clear:

1)      Demands for FRA implementation have come only from the new proposed extension of the KNP.

2)      The extension areas, where OTFDs and STFD are seeking implementation of FRA are forested area, largely classified as un-classed state forests. The government takes a stand that as it does not fall under legal forest category hence FRA cannot be implemented. There should be no doubt that the extension areas are forests as per the definition of FRA.

The eviction notices are being served on this pretext. Also there has been recent reclamation into these un-classed state forests by new comer. Many of them being migrants from Bangladesh, the Assam government has not been able to take a stand, considering them as potential electoral vote banks.

The declaration of KNP as CTH is based on poor assessment and without taking into the views of neighbourhood. The Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti will not allow any anti-farmer programme to take place. KMSS also reminds everybody that the neighbourhood people love KNP as much as Forest Department likes it. The recent demonstrations prove the disapproval of the MOEF and FD's stand on KNP and FRA issue.

For more details contact:

Akhil Gogoi, Secretary, Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti, Assam,  near Circuit House, Ward no.9, D.R. College Road, Golaghat, Assam, PIN. 785621, mobile no. 094350-54140.