Soil erosion poses grave threat to wildlife sanctuary in West Bengal
5 Sep 2009, 1002 Hrs

Add comment          Mail          Print          Write to Editor

Sevoke/Siliguri (West Bengal) Sep 5 Continuous erosion by Teesta River poses a grave threat to the Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary and the National Highway along with numerous settlements on its way in Sevoke in West Bengal.

The river Teesta as it flows along the forestland makes meandering channels and the down current is so heavy that it erodes away huge tracts of land every year. The Mahananda sanctuary has already lost large tracts of forestland to the river water.

"Regarding the river Teesta, it poses two threats, one is, for the forest, the Mahananda wildlife sanctuary, along most part of the sanctuary and the other is to the national highway 31 along with the settlements," said Subir Sarkar, meteorologist, Siliguri.

According to experts, the main reason for the loss of soil is the excessive down cutting by the river. The erosion has been taking place for the past ten years, and has now become a big threat to the flora and fauna, and the people from the various settlements in the area as well.

"The erosion has only been increasing for the past ten years because of the Teesta. The NH 31 is the lifeline of Sikkim. The erosion has been happening in the stretch of almost half a kilometre along the highway," said Animesh Bose, secretary, Himalayan nature and adventure foundation.

Residents complain that they have lost acres of land and they are living under constant fear.

"Acres of land have been eroded. There is more danger to our village than to the forest. Our village is being affected the most, there is a lot of inconvenience," said Dorji Sherpa, a resident.

Spread over an area of 159 square kilometres, the Mahananda Wildlife sanctuary situated at the foothills of the Darjeeling Himalayas is home to various animals such as elephants, the one horned rhinoceros, leopards, spotted deer sloth bear, wild dog, boar. The forest also has a dense growth of teak and sal trees. (ANI)

Related Latest

Freddie Mercury to be honoured by west London neighbours New method to measure snow, soil moisture with GPS may benefit climate modelers India urges West to give up beef to slow down global warming Elephants on rampage in West Bengal's Doars region Flying foxes get sanctuary in Jharkhand (Feature) Goa Police dismiss reports of terror threat during IFFI Australia pick Bollinger for first Test against West Indies 3-month-old infant put up on sale in West Bengal Highlight Sundarbans in Copenhagen talks: Bengal government Indefinite strike in Bengal jute sector from Dec 14

Related Latest

As far as Kashmir issue is concerned, India will not redraw borders: Singh Pakistan has not done enough on the Mumbai terror attacks: Manmohan Singh No apprehension about US viewing India differently: Manmohan Singh Winters leave Ladakh out of bound, make stocking of food material a must Eco-friendly vehicles rally held in Delhi People worship Highway Goddess for safe journey in Chennai Lucknow Zoo authorities treating tiger for cancer Hussey ready to cop criticism, but will let bat do the talking PAC supports idea of making Pak Army's financial records public Pak heading towards 'demographic disaster', warn experts

• Pakistan has not done enough on the Mumbai terror attacks: Manmohan Singh
• As far as Kashmir issue is concerned, India will not redraw borders: Singh
• No apprehension about US viewing India differently: Manmohan Singh
• Winters leave Ladakh out of bound, make stocking of food material a must
• Eco-friendly vehicles rally held in Delhi

• भारतीय क्रिकेट की मजबूत दीवार
• कंगारूओं के आगे ढेर, चीतों से कैसे मुकाबला करेंगें शेर
• Reducing greenhouse gases may not be enough to slow global warming
• बीकानेर महापौर चुनावः एक विश्लेषण
• Deepawali: The Festival Of Lights