Villagers protest illegal cultivation in Pong wetland
Residents of Guler and Gatuthar gram panchayats in the Kangra region have expressed outrage over the illegal cultivation of land within the Pong Wetland Wildlife Sanctuary. Led by Gatuthar panchayat pradhan Thakur Dass, the villagers met Kamlesh Thakur, the MLA...
The Supreme Court’s February 2000 order prohibits human activities, including cultivation, in wildlife sanctuaries and wetland areas across the country. File
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Residents of Guler and Gatuthar gram panchayats in the Kangra region have expressed outrage over the illegal cultivation of land within the Pong Wetland Wildlife Sanctuary. Led by Gatuthar panchayat pradhan Thakur Dass, the villagers met Kamlesh Thakur, the MLA of Dehra Assembly constituency, last evening in Dehra to voice their concerns.The villagers reported that influential individuals have encroached upon the wetland area, erecting barbed wire fences to cultivate the land in violation of the Supreme Court’s February 2000 order, which prohibits human activities, including cultivation, in wildlife sanctuaries and wetland areas across the country.
Despite repeated complaints to the Wildlife authorities, no action has been taken to remove the fencing or halt the illegal cultivation. Frustrated by the inaction, the villagers have been holding protest demonstrations for the past two months, demanding justice and the restoration of the wetland.
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Thakur Dass, who is leading the agitation, stated that the villagers appealed to the MLA for intervention. In response, Kamlesh Thakur assured them that appropriate action would be taken and instructed the authorities concerned to address the encroachments promptly.
The villagers hope that their appeal will lead to decisive action against the offenders and the preservation of the protected wetland area.
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