The principal chief conservator of forests (PCCF) Jai Raj and lalkuan MlA Navin Dumka inspected the Gaula river elephant corridor here on Tuesday. They also visited the residents of farms in Baudkhatta and directed officials to take measures to resolve the issues of the locals. It was stated that a channel will be constructed in the elephant corridor area to divert the river water to mitigate disaster risk.
Considering the impact of mining not being conducted in the elephant corridor in Gaula river area, the PCCF and local MlA inspected the area to check the resultant risk of flood. The MlA said that dozens of hectares of fertile land is damaged by floods every year due to mining not being allowed in the elephant corridor area. This also poses a risk for the riverside areas. The villagers appealed to the PCCF through the MlA that mining should be allowed in the corridor area to regulate the flow of the river and prevent the scope for flood. The PCCF acknowledged the validity of the demand but said that the decision would be taken after a high level meeting in Dehradun. It should be mentioned here that due to the annual flood damage, the locals have for long been demanding permission for mining in the river area in the elephant corridor.