The manner in which encroachment and the annihilation of flora and fauna has been reported at Intangki National Park is shocking and deserves the highest condemnation. That the State government remains a mute spectator gaping in utter confusion is clearly evident from the fact that no one—not even the head of the government nor the concerned Minister deems it fit to respond to the one day bandh called in Peren district by the Zeliangrong Students Union protesting the marauding that is going on inside the treasured forest land. This clearly points to a complete breakdown of the government machinery as far as protecting the natural resources of the State is concerned. This complete silence on the part of the government may mean only one thing—the utter lack of responsibility that the State has shown to protect one if it’s biggest natural assets.
For the immediate, the State government under whose jurisdiction and responsibility the Intangki National Park falls should take all necessary measures for ensuring proper security so that such acts of encroachment and the destruction of the State’s bio-diversity wealth is brought to a halt. It is unfortunate that even after coming to know of such nefarious activities, the government is turning a blind eye to such wanton elements, whether it is self vested looters or the underground organization—here the NSCN (IM). The concerned underground organization should also give a thorough explanation to the Naga public on the stand taken by the Zeliangrong people against the encroachment and destruction of natural resources taking place.
The NSCN-IM it may be mentioned had even issued ‘shoot-at-sight’ order inside the Forest; however, this order became a dead letter due to some differences amongst its own functionaries. Various reports and sources revealed that almost all the logging inside the Intangki Forest has been carried out by NSCN-IM officials, with the exception of few private individuals. The Organization has also imposed total ban on logging from the Forest, but some ‘self-interest’ officials flouted this order and there has been heavy felling of trees still now. Failure to respond and the continued silence of both the State government and the underground organization will only help in justifying such marauding of our national property.
That the 202 sq km forest land is fighting for its survival and the State government powerless amidst the free for all ‘encroachers’ has been clearly evident by what a high level official of the forest department admitted to this newspaper, which is that the ‘Park’ has completely gone out of the control of the State government and that it may not be able to do anything unless a strong ‘political will’ is adopted. It is strongly suggested that rather than waiting for politicians to decide, the State government should hand over the management and control of Intangki to the community. The government of Nagaland has already enacted the Communitisation of Public Institutions and Services Act 2002 in order to share with the communities the responsibilities for managing such institutions and services in various sectors. Elementary education, electricity management in villages and health services has already been handed over to the community. Seeing the plight of what is happening at Intangki, there is now a strong case for communitisation of the wildlife sanctuaries and national parks.
