MIAO, May 7: In the wake of the reports of illegal encroachments inside the Namdapha National Park, Minister for Environment and Forest Mama Natung along with Minister UD, Food & Civil Supply Kamlung Mossang and officials visited NNP and interacted with villagers to know the ground reality.
Natung while interacting with villagers at 50th, & 60th Mile under Namdapha National Park briefed them about the guidelines of the National park. He urged them to vacate the area, and to settle anywhere outside the jurisdiction of the park, while assuring them to confer all possible help. Minister also divulged that the government has also extended funds for the encroachers for resettlement.
There are only two National parks in the state, and we have to preserve them for our better future. No illegal activities would be accepted or exempted under NNP jurisdiction, added Minister.
While responding to the query, Minister informed that the Department had also evicted various illegal structures earlier. Department will also hold discussions with the villagers for peaceful relocation of atleast eight villages.
Earlier, Villagers settled in 40th Mile & 60th Miles of the NNP area expressed displeasure over the government’s decision to relocate their villages. “We have been here for many decades, and National Park was established without any consent of the villagers, claimed a villager.