Notwithstanding tall claims by the north-eastern States, the region has recorded huge losses of forest cover, with the Forest Commission calling for an end to nexus between politician, bureaucrat and contractor in Assam and three other States. If the nexus between politician, bureaucrat and contractor goes on developing, as is the case in Assam, Uttaranchal, Himachal and Kashmir, then any attempt of development will be diminished and then the exploited tribal people will try to take revenge, the Commission warned.

The State Government has lifted the ban on the import of poultry and poultry products from the rest of the country, barring West Bengal. The Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Commissioner and Secretary Shyam Lal Mewara signed the order to this effect yesterday. The State Government imposed the ban on the import of poultry and poultry products from the rest of the country through two orders on January 18 and 22 last, following outbreak of the dreaded bird flu in West Bengal and its spread to some of the North Indian states.

UDALGURI, Feb 18

JAMUGURIHAT, Feb 13

Since the economy of the North East is basically agro-based, the primary reason for its poverty is agricultural backwardness. The very fact that the region has to look after 3.8 per cent of India's population with only 2.7 per cent of national income earned by its economy shows what poverty-distance it has to meet in order to catch up with the rest of the country. The region's per capita income-distance from all-India average has increased from Rs 1,706 in 1993-94 to Rs 7,000 in 2005-06.

NAZIRA,Feb12

GUWAHATI, Feb 12

KALGACHIA, Feb 12

A joint team of forest personnel and police today arrested five linkmen of poachers from different places. They are Nagina Majhi of Majhina Hatikhuti TE, Dhiren Ingti and Biren Ingti of Engleng Pathar, Mauna Akhtar Ahmed alias Raj of Methoni TE and Md Manir Khan of Garubandha, Jakhalabondha. Raj is the son of the night chowkidar of Methoni TE and Manir is a tailor from Barjuri. It is pertinent to mention here that it is in the Methoni TE that the tragic killing of one female rhino took place.

next time on the roads, don't scoff at the speed-breakers. They could actually light up small villages off the highway. An amateur innovator in Guwahati has developed a simple contraption