09/04/2025
๐ก๐ผ ๐๐๐๐ต๐ผ๐ฟ๐ถ๐๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป ๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐ ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ธ๐ฒ๐ ๐ฆ๐ฒ๐ถ๐๐๐ฟ๐ฒ๐: ๐๐ผ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐๐ ๐๐ฒ๐ฝ๐ ๐๐น๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ณ๐ถ๐ฒ๐ ๐ผ๐ป ๐ฉ๐ถ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐น ๐ฉ๐ถ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ผ ๐๐ผ๐ป๐๐ฟ๐ผ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐๐.
Itanagar,April 9: The Department of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Government of Arunachal Pradesh, has issued a clarification following public outrage over the seizure of herbs, organic leafy vegetables, and river fishes from the Itanagar market. The incident, which went viral on social media, involved a magistrate appointed by the ICR District Administration, police personnel, and forest staff acting under the direction of the Deputy Chief Wildlife Warden, Itanagar Sanctuary Division, Naharlagun.
According to the press release, the seizure was allegedly conducted at the behest of Shri Nabam Regum, Chairperson of the Papum Pare District Biodiversity Management Committee (BMC) and a self-proclaimed Chairperson of the All Arunachal BMC Members Association. The Department clarified that these seizures were wrongful and have caused serious inconvenience to the public.
Citing the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972, the Department stated that the Act does not authorize the seizure of produce such as herbs and leafy vegetables traditionally used by the local population unless they fall under the protected or scheduled species category. The Department distanced itself from the actions, stating that it neither authorized nor approved such enforcement, and sought an explanation from the Deputy Chief Wildlife Warden regarding the involvement of the staff.
Further, the Arunachal Pradesh State Biodiversity Board (APSBB) has been asked to submit a written clarification on the involvement of Shri Nabam Regum. The Board has also been directed to ensure that such incidents do not recur.
The Department reiterated that only specific plants listed in the Schedule of the Wildlife Protection Act are prohibited from cultivation or sale without prior permission. These include Beddomeโs cycad, Blue vanda, Ladies slipper orchids, and Pitcher plant, among others. None of the items seized from the market reportedly belong to this category.
Additionally, the Department addressed the seizure of river fish from the market under the assumption that they were caught from protected areas. It clarified that fishing is only prohibited within designated areas such as Wildlife Sanctuaries, National Parks, and Tiger Reserves, and not in general water bodies like rivers and lakes, which are part of the local communityโs traditional food sources.
The Department has promised appropriate action against any unauthorized activities and reaffirmed its commitment to protecting both biodiversity and the livelihood rights of indigenous communities.
