GOLAGHAT

The State Government's role vis-

Banajutshna, a nature organisation of Golaghat district has expressed its deep anguish over the ruthless and cold-blooded killing of the rhinos by poachers in the Kaziranga National Park. It is also equally disturbing that killings of rhinos as well as removal of its horns have become a regular feature in the KNP almost every year. It is high time the government of Assam, should publish a white paper on rhino poaching as early as possible. The united effort of the Forest department and public may solve the problem.

The farmers of Dhansiri subdivision have been maintaining their families by cultivation of rabi crops. More than 90 per cent people here are mainly dependent on agriculture. The areas of Assam-Nagaland border namely Nowjan, Beelgaon, Urinmghat, Sungajam, Tengani, Da-Pather, Doyang, are cultivating sugar cane, jute, mustard, potatoes, carrot, cauliflowers, onion, chillies, bringals and other green vegetables.

In entire Golaghat district, including Dhansiri, Bokakhat and Golaghat subdivision, thousands of child labourers are busy in the struggle for a livelihood by working in hotels, restaurants, garages, tea gardens and houses belonged to rich people.

At least 17 persons, most of them children and women, have died in three Upper Assam districts of Golaghat, Jorhat and Sibsagar after having consumed wild poisonous mushrooms in the past four days. The state Government has now warned people not to consume unidentified mushrooms. While 10 persons have died in Golaghat, five have fallen victims in Sibsagar and two others in Jorhat. Seven of those who have died are children. At least 20 others are battling for life in different hospitals.

Contamination of groundwater by arsenic and its adverse effect on human being have been reported in 20 countries in different parts of the world. Groundwater arsenic contamination has raised its ugly head recently in Assam. Arsenic concentration in groundwater samples from the three blocks viz.

We used a semistructured social survey of 590 households in 37 villages along the southern boundary of Kaziranga National Park and World Heritage Site, Assam, India in late 2000 and early 2001 to assess resource use and demographic and socioeconomic conditions.

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