Boko, April 25: A shocking case of illegal soil cutting has emerged from the Bondapara forest range under the West Kamrup Division, revealing deep-rooted irregularities and posing a grave threat to both wildlife and human safety.
In a blatant violation of forest norms, smugglers have dug a massive trench — approximately 300 meters long and between 15 to 60 feet wide — slicing up to 15 feet deep into a reserve forest (RF) area.
Locals, alarmed by the scale of destruction, have alleged direct collusion between smugglers and forest officials. They claim soil is being extracted day and night under the nose of the authorities, who have turned a blind eye to the environmental devastation. The area is part of a known elephant corridor, and with such unscientific excavation, the risk of fatal accidents for elephants, other animals, and villagers is imminent.
Ironically, when questioned, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Subodh Talukdar — who visited the site along with his team — stated he was unaware of the illegal activity. Even more perplexing, both Talukdar and Bondapara Deputy Range Officer Bhairab Chandra Sarma claimed uncertainty about whether the excavated site lies in the reserve forest or revenue area.
According to local sources, three individuals — two from the Rabha community of Sukuniapara and Kathalkuchi villages and one from Boko with the Kalita surname — have been named in connection with the illegal excavation.
As per forest guidelines, soil extraction should not exceed a depth of 3 meters. However, the smugglers have gone well beyond this limit, creating a hazardous landscape.
In November 2024, Kamrup District Commissioner Deba Kumar Mishra formed seven task forces across various revenue circles, including Boko, to curb illegal earth and resource extraction. These task forces were tasked with surprise checks and strict enforcement.
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