[ Prafulla Kaman ]

RUKSIN, 5 Oct: The Assam Forest Department has prohibited unauthorised entry into its portion of the Poba reserve forest (RF) after a wildlife survey team reported the presence of rare and endangered species, including herbivorous and primate species, in the forest.

The prohibitory order restricts unauthorised entry of individuals, groups or any organisation for picnicking, holding meetings, or organising entertainment programmes using loudspeakers or music players that cause sound pollution and disturb wild animals.

However, students, researchers, and individuals who come to enjoy the natural beauty will be allowed to enter the forest with strict adherence to the framed rules.

Meanwhile, the Forest Department here in East Siang district stepped up vigilance in and around the Arunachal portion of the reserve forest.

A senior forest official here said that movement of Royal Bengal tigers in Poba RF and adjoining Daying Ering Wildlife Sanctuary is "raising a demand for strengthening forest protection forces to save the rare species."

Ruksin Range Forest Officer Opang Jamoh said restrictions on hunting, collection of forest wealth,and organising of picnics and other amusement programmes have already been enforced in the forest areas under the range. He said that a forest team has been deployed for regular patrolling in and around the reserve forest and report their findings.

National Highway 15, which connects Akajan (Assam) to Pasighat in East Siang, passes through the Poba RF, bifurcating the forest at Leku. A larger portion of the reserve forest falls under the Jonai range (Assam), while the remaining area on the left (upper) side falls under the Ruksin range of the Pasighat territorial division.

Located on the outskirts of Ruksin town, Poba RF is adjacent to the Pasighat RF and Daying Ering Wildlife Sanctuary in East Siang. There is a wild elephant corridor which links Daying Ering Wildlife Sanctuary, Mebo RF, Pasighat RF, Poba RF and Dibru-Saikhowa National Park in Upper Assam.