AGARTALA: The state forest department has decided to cut down all the rubber trees inSepahijala sanctuary due to its negative impact on bio-diversity and wildlife.
According to wildlife officials on Wednesday, after an elaborate assessment, the authorities have decided to extract timber from the mature rubber trees, while other young trees would be chopped off to save the environment on the sanctuary premises.
“Not only in Sepahijala, similar exercises will be carried out in Trishna bison sanctuary, Gomati sanctuary and Roa bird sanctuary where a large number of rubber trees are found,” said a top official of the department.
Although there is not enough proof to establish the ill-effects of rubber cultivation in Tripura, it is being considered as a major threat to bio-diversity and overall environment. Hence, the department has decided to cut down the trees, said Amit Debbarma, wildlife warden in Sepahijala.
He said cultivation of rubber has created a severe crisis of food for animals in the sanctuary, as well as in the nearby forest areas. A source said three animals, including deer and the rare spectacled monkey, have died after consuming rubber leaves and nuts in the last few months.
Rubber cultivation was started in the sanctuaries in the early 70s as cash crop to rehabilitate poor tribals. They practiced Jhum (slash and burn) cultivation in the forests. However, it soon turned dangerous for the bio-diversity, Debbarma said.
Source: India Times
