ITANAGAR, Apr 9: A wave of concern and criticism has erupted across social media platforms after videos and photographs surfaced showing the alleged wrongful seizure of herbs, organic leafy vegetables, and locally sourced fish from vendors at the Itanagar market. The incident, which reportedly took place under the pretext of enforcement related to forest and wildlife produce regulations, has triggered widespread outrage from the local community.
In its Press statement, Department of Forest issues clarification stating that “ It has been brought to the notice of the Department through social media viral videos and photographs that, the Magistrate appointed by the ICR District Administration along with police personnel and 2 frontline staff (one Forest Guard and one contingency Forest Watcher) working under the Deputy Chief Wildlife Warden, Itanagar Sanctuary Division, Naharlagun have been seen involved in wrongful seizure of herbs and other organic leafy vegetables traditionally used by the local community as part of their food habit from Itanagar market under the pretext of Forest/wildlife produce at the behest of a person namely, Nabam Regum, Chairperson, Papum Pare District Biodiversity Management Committee (and a self-proclaimed Chairperson of All Arunachal BMC Members Association). It is believed that such acts have caused serious inconveniences to the people as seen in viral video clippings.
It may be noted that, the Wildlife Protection Act-1972, doesn’t authorize any person or Government authority for wrongful seizure of any produce in which the people of Arunachal Pradesh are traditionally been dependent including herbs and other organic leafy vegetables as part of their food habit under the pretext of Forest/wildlife products, thereby causing inconvenience to the general public at large. The Department of Environment, Forest & Climate Change has neither directly involved nor authorized any individuals for such acts. The explanation has been sought from the Deputy Chief Wildlife Warden, Itanagar Sanctuary Division Naharlagun for involvement of 2 frontline staff in the above-mentioned incident and subsequently will take necessary actions as per the Rule provisions. A written clarification has been also sought from the Member Secretary, Arunachal Pradesh State Biodiversity Board (APSBB) on the alleged involvement of Nabam Regum, Chairperson, Papum Pare District BMC for such activities under his purview, and also directed to issue necessary directions to him and any other such persons associated with APSBB to restrain themselves from doing such activities in future which causes inconveniences to the general public.
Further, under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, the protection of scheduled plant species is specifically addressed, there is a list of Schedule plants (specified plants) in this Act lists which are protected plant species. These species are prohibited from being cultivated or planted except with prior permission from the Chief Wildlife Warden of the State. To name few species which includes, Beddome’s cycad (Cycas beddomei), Blue vanda (Vanda coerulea), Ladies slipper orchids (Paphiopedilum spp.), Pitcher plant (Nepenthes khasiana) etc. The Section 17A of the said Act Prohibits the picking, uprooting, damaging, destroying, acquiring or possessing any specified plant listed in Schedule without a license or permit. The offences include; Cultivating specified plants without permission, Possessing, selling, or offering for sale these plants or their derivatives, Destroying or damaging habitats of such plants. Any contravention of Section 17A constitutes punishable offence. Prima facie it appears that none of the seize plants are of the above category of Scheduled plants or its derivatives.
Also, it has been brought to the notice of the department that, Nabam Regum, has been involved (on his own) seizure of river fishes from Itanagar markets under the pretext of fishes have been caught from the river flowing in the Wildlife Sanctuary. In this regard, it is to clarify that the Department in any of the ways has not engaged or authorized such individual for such works. However, Fishing inside the Protected Areas such as Wildlife Sanctuaries, National Parks, Tiger Reserves etc. and fishing of Scheduled Aquatic species such as Dolphins, Otter, amphibians, reptiles etc. which are listed in the Schedule, in any water is prohibited, and constitutes an offence unless it is permitted under the Wildlife Protection Act. This Act doesn’t prohibit the general fishing in the rivers, streams, lakes or any other water bodies in which traditionally the local communities have been dependent as part of their food habit, stated a release.
