Doomdooma: Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP) secretary Jagadish Bhuyan has questioned the Assam government’s decision to reconstitute the State Board for Wildlife, particularly the inclusion of Dima Hasao Autonomous Council Chief Executive Member Debolal Gorlosa and Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council Chief Executive Member Tuliram Ronghang as members described as prominent conservationists, naturalists and environmentalists.
In a statement shared on social media on Wednesday, Bhuyan alleged that large-scale destruction of green hills had taken place at several locations in Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao under the alleged patronage of the two autonomous council leaders.
“Under the direct patronage of these two people, the green hills in various parts of Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao are being destroyed one after another,” Bhuyan said.
He claimed to have personally visited some of the locations where the alleged destruction occurred. Bhuyan also said he had submitted information related to alleged wrongdoing involving Gorlosa before the Justice Anima Hazarika Commission.
Questioning the government’s decision, Bhuyan said the appointment of the two leaders to a body responsible for wildlife conservation raised questions about the criteria used to select its members.
“These two people will now work for wildlife conservation in Assam! Joke of the Year – the biggest joke of the year!” he said.
The AJP leader’s comments followed the Assam government’s recent reconstitution of the State Board for Wildlife. His criticism was focused on the inclusion of Gorlosa and Ronghang in the panel in the capacity of prominent conservationists, naturalists and environmentalists.
Bhuyan argued that the appointments were contradictory to what he described as the environmental record of the two leaders, particularly in relation to alleged hill destruction in Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao.
However, the allegations made by Bhuyan have not been independently verified. No conclusion regarding any wrongdoing by Gorlosa or Ronghang can be drawn from the claims, and the allegations remain his assertions.