GUWAHATI, March 29—Forests in 41,000 hectares of land in Assam were destroyed during the period from 1996 to 1999. This was disclosed by the Minister of State for Forest, Sri Pradyut Bordoloi while replying to the debate on the cut motions on the demand for grant of Rs 1,33,41,62,000 for the Forest Department for the year 2003-2004.
Sri Bordoloi, quoting a report of the Forest Survey of India, said that forests in about 20,000 hectares of land were destroyed in Sonitpur district alone. Sri Bordoloi informed the House that the State Government would formulate a pragmatic forest policy on the basis of the recommendations of the expert committee formed for the purpose. He also said that despite the ban on felling of trees, the degradation of the forests is going on between the gap between demand and supply. According to an estimate, the State requires five million cubic metres of fire wood and one million cubic metre of timber every year, he added.
Earlier, participating in the debate, Sri Pabindra Deka (Ind) said that steps should be taken to increase forest cover in the State. He alleged that felling of trees is going on unabated despite the Supreme Court ban in this regard. He also suggested that the National Highway, which passes through the Kaziranga National Park should be diverted as animals are often killed by speeding vehicles.
Sri Bimalangshu Roy (BJP) said that steps should be taken for bamboo plantation to meet the requirement of the paper mills. Sri Premadhar Bora (TGP) said that the timber logs lying unused in the Forest depots should be disposed off to generate revenue for the fund starved State coffers. Sri Basanta Das (Con) demanded steps to improve the condition of the Orang Wildlife Sanctuary.