(a) whether attention of the Government has been drawn to the news-items captioned `Rain Forest discovered in Assam` appearing in Times of India dated October 4, 2000;
(b) if so, the facts of the matter reported therein;
(c) whether a Environmentalist Saumyadeep Dutta has discovered a rain forests in Assam which spills into Arunachal Pradesh; and
(d) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto?
MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS ( SHRI T.R.BAALU)
(a) to (c) Yes, Sir. According to the news item, Saumyadeep Dutta and others discovered 500 Sq. Km. of Rain Forest in Assam which spills over into Arunachal Pradesh.
(d) A proposal has been received from Nature`s Beckon Group for declaring Joypur, Dirak and Upper Dihing forest as Wildlife Sanctuary. The State Government has been requested to take necessary action in the matter as the power to declare any area a sanctuary under the Wildlife (Protection ) Act vests with them .