GANGTOK, : A.T. Mishra, Deputy Director
General of Forest (Central), Regional Office Bhubaneswar, visited Taungyadars
settlement site at Yalli reserve forest in Gangtok district today in connection
with a State government proposal to regularize the settlements on forest land.
Accompanied by Additional
Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Dr. P. Senthil Kumar and a team of
officials from State Forest department, including additional director, joint
director, DFO and Range Officers, the DDG undertook a field inspection to
assess ground realities.
The Ministry of Environment and
Forests had desired to have a field inspection to evaluate a proposal by the
State Forest department to regularize settlements of Taungyadars who have been
residing on the forest lands of Sikkim since before 1980, informs a press
release. “Presently these people sustain their livelihood by cattle rearing and
cultivation of the land. The Government of Sikkim decided to recognise the
Taungyadars’ contribution and rights by regularizing their settlements in the
above areas by regularizing their settlements ‘as is where is’ basis to secure
their livelihood and their generations in the State.”
The DDG along with State Forest
officials travelled by foot to Yalli village and inspected the proposed site.
They also interacted with the villagers and listened to their grievances to
gather first-hand understanding on their cause and issues, and shared
information about the proposals of the government and process taken forward to
regularize the settlement.
Local residents and the ward
panchayat member expressed gratitude for the visit, acknowledging the
government's efforts to address their long-standing demands.
Later in the day, the DDG held a review meeting with the additional PCCF and
officials involved in the working plan of Namchi district to discuss the
proposals further.
