Guwahati, Dec 19: Garbhanga reserve forest in Guwahati which is enriched with wildlife and rich bio-diversity is under severe threat from encroachers. The reserve forest which covers 18860.58 hectares falls under East Kamrup Forest Division houses many endangered species of flora and fauna. However, a recent survey of state forest department has sent ripples within the department.
According to the survey, many parts of the reserve forest area are under severe encroachment. The encroachers reportedly made illegal settlements at Ganeshpur, Moina Khorong, Guijanpur, Sagolpara, Nalapara, Seauj Nagar, Sibpur and several other areas inside the forest land. The Assam Power Distribution Company Limited is also supplying electricity to these areas.
Though the forest department issued notices to the APDCL to suspend electricity supply, the power distributor allegedly has taken no step yet.
It’s worth mentioning that Garbhanga reserve forest is primarily a high-density elephant habitat (Asiatic elephant) and home to an endemic primate species, Hylobates hoolock Harlan 1834 (Hoolock or White browed Gibbon).
The reserve forest is also well known for many rare species of butterflies.
