GUWAHATI: Local villagers intervened to stop the poaching of protected egrets near Dora Beel in Rampur, Kamrup (Rural) District, on Monday, June 7. Four minor boys were apprehended and handed over to the authorities in this connection.
A video of the boys handling the birds went viral over social media, after which local villagers got together and cornered them. The matter was immediately taken up by the Divisional Forest Office, Kamrup West Division. The four boys have been charged under the Wildlife Protection Act.
Environmentalists and concerned citizens have questioned the Divisional Forest Office for releasing the boys once charges had been drawn up against them. A senior official from the Office told G Plus, "Since the boys are minors, we let them go. They will be asked to come back with their parents to give statements, in accordance with procedure.”
Dora Beel, a unique wetland habitat located near Guwahati, is a rich source of resources and ecological support to a large community of people living in Rampur. There have been several reports of water depletion in the wetland, and rising concern about its overall ecological health.
"The way to protect the Beel would be to make it a conservation reserve," a senior official of the Forest Department told G Plus.
