SAVE OUR FORESTS

The wood are lovely Dark and deep but I have promises to keep ..

— by Kankabati Dutta

(Reading Time: 8 min Approx)

What had Mao actually written and how many of these forest rapists actually read Mao? What are the forces financing these so-called rebels, who are actually poverty stricken, hungry villages who have little money to subsist, far from the elitist situation of buying books, and thinking political philosophy? Once again, we feel the need to spread the reading of Tagore and Gandhi, Tolstoy and Satre. One feels that it is necessary to get to the root of whatever is happening in SARANDA, KASHMIR, ASSAM.

Tourism has taken a beating but there is still hope for visitors to return to guesthouses packed with tourists and holidayers. The silence of Saranda forest might yet be broken by footfalls and voices. Now the guesthouses are just empty boxes without any amenity. Whatever footfall can be heard in the forests are apparently of rebels, who have found a haven in these dense jungles.

Neither the senior forest personnel nor tourists are seen holidaying in forest rest houses in the famous Sal stretch of Saranda forest in West Singhbhum for the last few years. A couple of years ago, the guesthouses used to be booked in advance by tourists, senior forest officers and government departments in the district. But there has been a sea change in utilities of forest accommodation after the demolition of seven forest guesthouses by activists of Communist Party of India (Maoist) in Saranda-Kolhan forest reserve in 2003.

Earlier, divisional forest officers camped in various forest divisions of their jurisdiction. District administration, too, used to book the guesthouses for occasional visits in the district. Each of the four territorial divisions in the (southern circle) of West Singhbhum- Saranda (4), Kolhan (2), Porahat (6) and Chaibasa South (5) has a good number of forest rest houses.

Five forest bungalows of Saranda reserve- twin outlets in Tholkobad, Karampada, Tirilposi and Kumdih? Were razed by rebels two years ago. Two forest guests were killed in Kolhan forest division in the same year. Why is this happening? Why are the forests aflame with human hatred rage and destruction? Who is financing the instruments of destruction?

Among these numerous guesthouses, the Kiriburu guesthouse of Saranda was the most popular because of its geographical location and altitude. It is situated 1,000 metres above sea level in a core area of avifauna forest. Gagirathi and Taybo, the two waterfalls, near the house were popular tourist spots. But no more. Divisional forest officer of Saranda C.P. Khanduja said two major guerrilla ambushes in Bitkilsoya and Baliba in Saranda caused a major setback for the forest department.

Many policemen and jawans of the Central Reserve Police Force died in these police and rebel encounter. These unfortunate incidents communicated a wrong signal to tourist and the visitors? Khanduja said. But Khanduja is optimistic that the rebel problem is not permanent. Ambushes caused fear and panic among people. This fear will hopefully lessen in coming years. I hope that it would be as normal as it was in 2002? He said.

Khanduja admitted that the influx of tourists has dwindled in the last a few years but has not stopped completely. People are visiting the forests of Saranda and other divisions. But certainly, their volume has reduced to some extent? The DFO said.

Khanduja said every year, successful candidates of Indian Administrative Services arrive in Saranda forest. This forest reserve is considered the best in Asia. IAS officers are sent to see the best species of Sal forests in the country. The officers are regular visitors of the Saranda reserve. Other civilians, too, visit but the forest department does not maintain a proper record of it? He added.

The divisional forest officer of Kolhan K.Z. Bhutiya denies that any fear has led to less officials visiting here. Instead, he attributes it to System change. Earlier, we used to stay in the forests for long to monitor the progress of works. But these days, paperwork has increased. Staying away from office for longer period will pile up the files, so fewer visits are made Bhutiya explains.

Armed rebels target the police and forest personnel. But despite this, the forest personnel visit various parts of the forest and return before dusk, Bhutiya said. The favorite choice of foresters and other people is the comfortable Officers’ Hostel at Kiriburu maintained by SAIL. Many prefer the Officer’ Hostel for touring the Saranda forest and other places in district.

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