Udalguri-Sonitpur, July 23: A nature conservation organisation has appealed to the authorities to cancel the proposed felling of 27 mature Sal trees in the Mahamaya forest of Kokrajhar district, warning that the move could threaten a key nesting and breeding habitat of the critically endangered White-rumped Vulture.
Aranya Suraksha Samiti Assam submitted a memorandum on July 23 to BTC Chief Hagrama Mohilary through the Sub-Divisional Officer of Parbatjhora subdivision, requesting that the road-widening project from the National Highway to Tipkai be redesigned to avoid cutting the trees. Copies of the memorandum were also sent to the Assam Forest Minister and the Executive Member in charge of the BTC Forest Department.
The delegation was led by the organisation’s general secretary Dr Haricharan Das, Mahamaya branch president Prakritish Saha and executive member Afzalur Rahman. The organisation stated that the mature Sal trees in the Rajapara range provide one of the most important nesting and breeding sites for the White-rumped Vulture, which depends on the tall trees to build nests and rear its young.
According to the organisation, a survey conducted in 2011 recorded only 26 White-rumped Vultures in the area. It claimed that sustained conservation efforts have helped increase the local population to more than 50 birds.
The organisation warned that felling the trees would severely damage the vultures’ breeding habitat and could eventually drive the species away from the Mahamaya forest. It urged the authorities to explore alternative plans for the road project that would protect the existing trees while allowing infrastructure development.
Aranya Suraksha Samiti Assam also described the White-rumped Vulture as an important part of the biodiversity of the Bodoland Territorial Region and Assam, arguing that conservation should take precedence even if alternative construction plans require additional effort.
The organisation reiterated its long-standing demand for the Mahamaya region to be declared a “Jatayu Park”, saying the area could be developed into a dedicated conservation zone for the protection of White-rumped Vultures and their habitat. It further noted that similar conservation initiatives have been undertaken elsewhere in the country to protect the species and urged the government to ensure that development is carried out without compromising the survival of the critically endangered bird.
