Massive illegal stone mining happening at Nameri National Park in Assam’s Sonitpur district has posed a serious threat to the flora and fauna of the park.
According to information, illegal stone mining is being carried out inside the national park by the ‘stone mafia’ with the alleged patronage of some high-ranking forest officials and political leaders.
According to locals, 60-70 tractors and dumpers are used daily to transport the sediments of the Jia Bharali river.
The Jia Bharali river flows through the national park, which is located at the foothills of eastern Himalaya.
Sources said one of the eco-camps of the national park has allegedly been closed so that the transportation of the sediments cannot be seen by tourists.
“Unrestricted extraction and transportation of stone are going on in front of the Patachali Beat Office, which is located close to the office of the Namari Range Forest Officer,” said a local on condition of anonymity.
“This excavation and transportation are carried out by excavators, dumpers and tractors during the day,”
It is learnt that a ‘stone mafia’ identified as Uttam Patar is carrying out the illegal excavation of stone in the Jia Bharli river inside Nameri National Park.
According to a source, the illegal mining and transportation of stone have been carried out with the blessings of two DFOs of the Sonitpur (East) Wildlife and Territorial Division and some leaders of the ruling BJP.