Rsidents of forest villages in Dibru-Saikhowa National Park have allegedly been denied access to govt. schemes since 1986Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has asked the State’s Forest and Revenue departments to permanently rehabilitate the indigenous forest dwellers of the Dibru-Saikhowa National Park within January 31. Rehabilitation of some 10,000 people of Laika and Dodhia villages has been hanging fire since 1999, when the Dibru-Saikhowa Wildlife Sanctuary was upgraded to a national park. Dibru-Saikhowa National Park have been denied access to government schemes since 1986 though a notification that year allowed them to continue staying until their shifting to a suitable place. The hardship compounded in 1999 when the national park came into existence.

Source: The Hindu December 30, 2020 14:25 UTC