ES Reporter 

ITANAGAR, Jul 4:  The Aboriginal Tribal Inhabitant Villagers of Itanagar Capital Region (ATIVICR) has demanded the state government to fully de-reserve the Itanagar Wildlife Sanctuary while warning of democratic movement and legal action if the demand is not met.
During a press conference held at the  press club on Tuesday, Techi Toka, Chairman of ATIVICR, expressed dissatisfaction at the inclusion of the Itanagar Capital Region (ICR) and several other villages within the boundaries of the wildlife sanctuary. The organization argued that this is unacceptable, as these areas have witnessed significant private infrastructure development.
ATIVICR also opposed the recent state notification that seeks to exclude certain areas while acquiring additional land within the ICR, as they believe the land belongs to the local inhabitants. They asserted that any decision regarding land acquisition must be made with the consent of the villagers.
"We, the local inhabitants, have already donated our land for free to the state government for the establishment of the state capital in Itanagar. The issue of Itanagar Wildlife Sanctuary is not only affecting the inhabitants but also the entire population settled in the ICR," Techi said.
Consequently, ATIVICR is urging the public, regardless of their district of origin, to support the demand for the complete de-reservation of the Itanagar Wildlife Sanctuary.
Meanwhile, Nera Techi, General Secretary of ATIVICR, mentioned that their concerns have been raised with the ICR Deputy Commissioner, Talo Potom, and the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF). The organization has secured a commitment from the PCCF to hold a meeting with the stakeholders next Monday.
Nera emphasized that the state government's policy of rationalizing the Itanagar Wildlife Sanctuary's boundaries with eco-sensitive zones is not acceptable to ATIVICR. We demand the complete de-reservation of the sanctuary, he said.
The boundaries of the Itanagar Wildlife Sanctuary were incorrectly defined by the former Deputy Commissioner of Lower Subansiri District and forest department officials. Furthermore, the indigenous people were not adequately informed about the notifications issued between 1976 and 1978, the body said.
"The proposal to rationalize the Itanagar Wildlife Sanctuary in our ancestral land by the state government will never be accepted. If necessary, the organization, along with the locals, will identify an area for the capital's expansion, but compensation must be provided," Nera asserted.
ATIVICR highlighted that a significant portion of the Itanagar Capital Region falls within the boundaries of the Itanagar Wildlife Sanctuary, leading to the suspension of land allotment renewals and the issuance of new Land Possession Certificates (LPCs) by the district administration.
 "Today, numerous government institutions and infrastructure projects are being constructed within the Itanagar Wildlife Sanctuary. If the ICR falls within the sanctuary, why establish the Itanagar Municipal Corporation (IMC)? The state government should consider the demands of the public and reassess the proposal to acquire more land for the extension of the capital region," the general secretary added.
ATIVICR's demands reflect the concerns and discontent of the local inhabitants regarding the inclusion of their lands within the Itanagar Wildlife Sanctuary. The body seeks a resolution that respects their rights and addresses the developmental needs of the capital region.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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