GUWAHATI: The Centre on the occasion of Forest Martyrs’ Day recognized the sacrifice of three forest martyrs from Assam for their contributions in safeguarding forest and wildlife in 2019-20. Their names are Nizamuddin Ahmed (Fix Pay Worker), Priyom Mech (Casual Driver) and Bikudar Bora (Game Watcher).
They are among 25 martyrs from across the country to have been recognized for their sacrifice in 2019-20 by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).
The Minister of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Prakash Javadekar tweeted, "At @moefcc we observed the #ForestMartyrsDay at the national level for the first time, in recognition of forest personnel who sacrificed their lives for the protection of our environment, forest & wildlife. This year 25 forest staff have been given the certificate of recognition."
Prakash Javadekar appealed to the state governments to take the issue of sand mining mafias seriously and impose strict laws to bring an end to the practice. He appealed that sustainable sand mining must be practiced so as to prevent the depletion of natural resources from river beds.
“In order to prevent the river beds from drying completely, sustainable sand mining must be practiced and killings of foresters or revenue staff working towards the initiative of sustainable sand mining is completely unacceptable and that steps will be taken to make sure the offenders are punished,” Javadekar said.
The Kaziranga National Park too on Friday celebrated Forest Martyrs’ Day to commemorate the sacrifice of Forest officials and frontline staff who laid their lives to protect the forests and wildlife.
The National Forest Martyrs Day is observed in India on September 11 every year to remember the sacrifice of those who laid their lives to protect the forests and wildlife across the remote corners of the country.