Skip to content Skip to navigation

Save Saleki and Dehing Patkai Elephant Reserve from coal mining

The Dehing Patkai Elephant Reserve - of which Saleki is a part - is the largest rainforest of India. Referred to as the "Amazon of the East", this virgin forestland stretches for 575 square kilometers in Tinsukia, Dibrugarh and Sivasagar districts in Assam.

Its biodiversity is very rich and unique.

Hoolock gibbon, slow loris, pig-tailed macaque, stump-tailed macaque, capped langur, Asian elephant, Bengal tiger, Indian leopard, gaur, Chinese pangolin, Himalayan black bear, Himalayan squirrel, leopard cat, clouded leopard, porcupine, crab eating mongoose, sambar, sun bear, binturong, barking deer, golden cat and marbled cat are just a few of the animal species living here.

Thanks to diversity of microhabitats, the Dehing Patkai Elephant Reserve hosts about 293 different species of birds, including slender-billed vulture, white-winged duck, greater adjutant, lesser adjutant, greater spotted eagle, beautiful nuthatch, marsh babbler, tawny-breasted wren-babbler, yellow-vented warbler, broad-billed warbler, white-naped yuhina, white-cheeked partridge, great hornbill, brown hornbill, Oriental darter and painted stork, osprey, kalij pheasant, grey peacock pheasant, besra, black baza and hill myna.

The most common reptiles found here are rock python, king cobra, Asian leaf turtle, monitor lizard.

And it is not over: 30 different species of butterfly thrive in this beautiful tropical vegetation and more than 100 species of orchids.

At the beginning of April 2020 the National Board for Wildlife of India has approved a coal mining project in the Saleki area of the Dehing Patkai Elephant Reserve, overlooking the fact that this is a Protected Area and that "should be conserved and protected from any destructive activities to ensure the country's ecological and environmental security".

We are urging the National Board for Wildlife, the Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change of India, the Prime Minister of India and the Chief Minister of Assam to stop any current and future coal mining project in Saleki and the whole Dehing Patkai Elephant reserve.

Legal and illegal coal extraction is having and will have catastrophic consequences for the whole ecosystem of the region, people included.

The Dehing Patkai region is already threatened by high polluting industries, such as coal mines, oil refineries, gas drilling, affecting both the environment and the quality of life of people.

Deforestation, loss of biodiversity, adverse climate change affecting agriculture crops and resulting in economic downfall, loss of habitats for birds and animals with the consequent worsening of the already fragile relationship between humans and wildlife, air and water pollution, health hazards are just a few of the negative effects this exploitation will have. No growth nor tourism can develop from this wilful blindness.

It is now more evident than in the past that our survival is strictly connected to the one of the forests and our future relies only on the sustainable and green policies we initiate now (I.e. segregation of garbage and recycling plants for plastic, glass, paper; organic farming; alternative energies to fossil fuels).

Sign Petition here..

 

Add new comment

Random Stories

No let-up in flood woes

26 Aug 2014 - 11:15am | AT News
  There is no let-up in the flood fury that has claimed 7 lives apart from rendered over ten lakh people in fifteen districts homeless  during this week. The Brahmaputra and its...

Chhath puja celebrated at Dudhbnoi

21 Nov 2012 - 12:16am | editor
Thousands of devotees offered prayers to the Sun God on the bank of Dudhnoi river on Tuesday on the occasion of Chhath puja. Bidyut Sarkar

Bodoland house at Kolkata

5 Feb 2015 - 1:14pm | Hantigiri Narzary
BTC chief Hagrama Mohilary on Wednesday inaugurated newly constructed Bodoland House at Rajarhat New Town in Kolkata in the presence of huge gathering. The house constructed at CF-24(03-178) Action...

Enchroachment causes man-elephant conflict

18 Aug 2016 - 11:58am | Shajid Khan
The cause of men-elephant on the Indo Bhutan area is enchroachment of forest land. This was observed by Rihan Daimary State Minister PHE, Food and Civil Supply at Panery Durga Mandir premises on...

Other Contents by Author

The 'Uttar Purvi Mahotsav 2024', a five-day cultural extravaganza showcasing Northeast India's richness, kicks off on January 13 at Bharat Mandapam. Organized by the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) and NEHHDC, the festival aims to display diverse arts, crafts, and cultures, fostering economic opportunities. With 250 participants including weavers, farmers, and entrepreneurs, the event features panel discussions, buyer-seller meets, traditional performances, and a focus on women's roles in regional development. Highlighting the youth's contribution and challenges, the festival aims to explore how they can shape India's economic landscape. Additionally, specialized...
In a bid to empower the youth against the perils of single-use plastics, the UNEP Tide Turners Plastic Challenge made significant strides in Assam. The WWF-India, alongside UNEP, orchestrated a pivotal Teachers’ Training Program on December 19th, 2023, at Maharishi Vidya Mandir Senior Secondary School in Silpukhuri. This initiative, a global endeavor ongoing since 2019, aims to cultivate leadership qualities among the youth to combat the menace of plastic pollution. WWF-India has taken the helm as the knowledge and implementing partner, customizing and executing the program's intricacies across the country. The training session witnessed the active participation of teachers from 37...
December 10, 2023, saw the Indigenous Peoples'  of Mung-Dun-Chun-Kham, Assam, Northeast, joined by the Jatiatabad Punar Nirman Samiti, observe World Human Rights Day in diverse regions of the state. The programme was held at Guwahati Press Club. A discussion titled "Human Rights and Northeast Region" was arranged. Notable speakers, including Pradeep Gogoi, Vice President of the ULFA (Discussion faction), L. Khongsai, President of Assam Kuki Welfare Society, N.G. Sanahaal Singha, President of Assam Manipuri Students' Association, Mrinal Gohain, Thinker, Meishnam Bhagat Singha, Paotinlen Chongloui, human rights activist, Shaheen Ahmed, academic and researcher, Rajkumar Baishya,...
Guwahati: The Indigenous peoples of Mung-Dun-Chun-Kham, Assam, North East India (IPMDCKANEI) came together on Assam Divas (Sukafa Divas) to address critical issues impacting their communities. Held at the Conference Hall, Media Trust', Rup Nagar, Guwahati, the day-long program included a significant round table conference featuring ethnic activists from Assam, Tripura, Manipur, and Nagaland. The event commenced with tributes to historical figures, Chao Pha Chao lung Sukafa and Bodofa Upendra Nath Brahma, followed by intense discussions on the challenges confronting indigenous groups in North East India. Representatives from various organizations including the United Bodo Peoples...
Representatives from various indigenous groups and environmental organizations convened in Gangtok, Sikkim, for the North East India Meet on Free Flowing Rivers. The gathering, hosted by the Affected Citizens of Teesta, Centre for Research and Advocacy (Manipur), and the Borok Peoples Human Rights Organization, concluded with a significant resolution aimed at safeguarding the region's rivers and biodiversity. "We recognize the intrinsic rights of rivers to flow freely and the vital relationship between indigenous communities and their natural resources," emphasized a spokesperson from the conference. The Teesta Declaration outlined pressing concerns regarding the construction of...
Guwahati: The commencement of preliminary work on the flyover linking the Dighalipukhuri point with the Bamunimaidan area has sparked concerns among the media fraternity in Guwahati. The ongoing development, anticipated to be the longest flyover in Assam stretching over six kilometers and set for completion by 2026, has raised issues for the city's Press Club situated in the Ambari locality. As construction gears up, the Press Club faces a significant reduction in its working space due to the flyover's expansion. This reduction is poised to create parking challenges for members and visitors alike during and after the construction phase, prompting the Journalists' Forum Assam (JFA) to...
In a resolute display of solidarity and resilience, over 5,000 women hailing from the Kuki-Zomi-Hmar-Mizo communities congregated at Peace Ground, Tuibuong, Lamka, Churachandpur in Manipur, kickstarting the annual 16 Days Activism on Violence Against Women. Orchestrated by the Women of Lamka, the event was a fervent call for justice and a poignant outcry against the distressing instances of gender-based violence (GBV) that have plagued the state. Led by the indomitable Ngaineikim from Kuki Women organization for human rights, the program's inauguration was a tapestry of impassioned speeches, stirring presentations, and solemn moments dedicated to the victims. Distinguished figures such...
Guwahati: The Journalists’ Forum Assam (JFA) has voiced its deep concern regarding the recent surge in verbal assaults on journalists by various individuals. In response, the forum calls upon the State's media community to stand united in the face of adversity. In a released statement, the forum highlighted the disparaging remarks made by AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal towards video journalists, where he suggested that they should face physical violence. “While we vehemently denounce Ajmal's stance and urge for appropriate actions against the politician, we implore media professionals to demonstrate unity, integrity, and professionalism in their workplaces,” remarked JFA president Rupam...
The North-East Finale of the WWF-India Wild Wisdom Global Challenge 2023 was held on November 3, 2023, at Royal Global University in Guwahati, Assam. This year's challenge was themed "Birds of the World" and was open to students from classes 6 to 9. A total of 80 schools with 160 students from Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Tripura, and various districts of Assam participated in the finale. After a closely contested competition, the team from Sarla Birla Gyan Jyoti School, Assam, represented by Ritvik Anand (class 6) and Garvita Jain (class 8), emerged as the North East Champions. The 2nd position was bagged by the team from Vivekananda Kendra Vidyalaya Tezpur, Assam...
Siliguri: Salesian College (Autonomous) Siliguri joined 11 other venues of Kolkata Salesian province in holding Don Bosco Global Youth Film Festival, 2nd edition on 13th October 2023. North Bengal’s acclaimed Nepali Film Director, musician and singer Mr. Anmol Gurung inaugurated the festival at Salesian College Siliguri just as Los Angeles Salesians hosted the Global Youth Film Awards in the picturesque foothills of Hollywood. “These films serve as a poignant canvas, capturing the myriad emotions, trials, tribulations, dreams, and aspirations of young people,” says Festival Director in Siliguri Salesian Fr C.M. Paul. Fr Paul adds, “They [films] also show the profound desire of...