Itanagar: Governor K T Parnaik on Wednesday sounded a stern warning against encroachments in Reserve Forest areas, stating that eviction, not compensation, is the way forward to safeguard the state’s ecological balance.
“Clear, firm action is needed. Any leniency will only weaken our ecological foundations,” the Governor said while chairing a high-level review meeting at the Raj Bhavan here to assess the status of forest conservation efforts.
Emphasising that Arunachal’s green identity is both a legacy and a responsibility, Parnaik called for urgent, coordinated and systemic efforts to protect its fragile environment. He underlined the need to preserve the state’s unique biodiversity “at all costs”.
Highlighting the role of technology in conservation, the Governor recommended the use of Artificial Intelligence tools and satellite mapping for precise and real-time forest monitoring. He proposed collaboration with the North Eastern Space Applications Centre (NE-SAC), Shillong, to develop an automated surveillance mechanism for forest areas.
Drawing on insights from his recent visit to Gujarat’s Gir Forest—home to the world’s last population of Asiatic lions—Parnaik urged the Forest Department to replicate successful conservation models and scientific practices for better biodiversity management in Arunachal.
The Governor also stressed the importance of inter-departmental coordination to ensure a balance between environmental protection and developmental goals. Citing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a “Viksit Bharat”, he said bureaucratic delays in forest and land clearances must not impede the state’s growth trajectory.
Describing the Hollongi Airport-Itanagar Road as a vital “green gateway”, Parnaik directed the Environment and Forests Department, district administrations of Papum Pare and Itanagar Capital Region, and the Municipal Corporation to launch a mass plantation drive along the route to boost green cover.
Earlier, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Head of Forest Force, P Subramanyam, presented a detailed report on the condition of Reserve Forests and the ongoing conservation measures.
With the stakes high, Governor Parnaik reiterated his call for collective action: “Safeguard Arunachal’s green identity—not just for today, but for generations to come.”
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