In alleged flagrant violation of the Wild Life Protection Act, Aarti Steel and Power Plant at Ghantikhal has occupied more than 50 acre of reserve forestland here, fortifying the boundaries with walls built around it. The occupied forestland is the habitat of deer, wild boars and rabbits.
Behind the safe confines of the wall, the habitat creates an opportunity for the company’s staff to go on hunting deer and other herbivorous animals. A security officer on conditions of anonymity revealed that several times some officers of the company go feasting on deer and are also selling deerskin.
The forest land is Subasi Reserve Forest, which lies adjacent to the company. Despite repeated reminders from the DFO, for rescuing the animals, it has fallen on deaf ears. It is rumoured that the Company’s close links to the powers may have made them defiant.
“Five years ago, forest census revealed that there were 75 deer and now,” expected the Athgarh Ranger, “it should have gone up to 200.” Recently, a deer was killed, when it was hit by a jeep of the company’s administrative officer and the matter was hushed up, said a security guard. The forest officials are denied entry inside the premises of the company, for taking count of the wild animals, added the Ranger.
However, local environmentalists Narayan Das, Lalatendu Senapati, Sanatan Ray and others have expressed concern on the blatant flouting of all norms by Aarti Steel. Questions are being raised on the DFO’s inaction. When queried, the DFO refused to comment. The environmentalists have drawn the attention of Maneka Gandhi for rescuing the wild animals.
