Arunachal Pradesh
,
East Siang
,
East Siang
Published :
|
Updated :
Concerns over encroachment in D Ering Wildlife Sanctuary in Arunachal Pradesh
Reported by
Emilo Yanthan
Legal Review by
Anmol Gupta
Sourabh Rai, Amrita Chekkutty
Edited by
Anupa Kujur
Households affected
People affected
2025
Year started
ha.
Land area affected
Households affected
People Affected
2025
Year started
Land area affected
Key Insights
Sector
Land Use
Reason/Cause of conflict
Encroachment by Non-Right Holders (Other than Caste-based)
Conflict Status
Ongoing
Ended
Legal Status
Region Classification
Urban
Ended
Sector
Land Use
Reason/Cause of conflict
Encroachment by Non-Right Holders (Other than Caste-based)
1
Summary

Local villagers and staff of the D Ering Memorial Wildlife Sanctuary have raised concerns over encroachments in the sanctuary situated on the Siang/Brahmaputra river islands.

In a letter to Arunachal Pradesh CM, Pasighat West MLA Nining Ering stated, “Assam officials have allowed cattle sheds and cultivation within the sanctuary, causing distress among sanctuary staff and local villagers.” He added that this has become a threat to the ecological system of the sanctuary. Following which, Chief Minister Pema Khandu promised to address the issue of illegal encroachment in the sanctuary.

Further, the CM also stated that he will "take up the matter with Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma" to resolve this concern. He also confirmed that he had received a letter outlining the unlawful encroachments from the D. Ering Sanctuary officials. Additionally, he stated that the East Siang District's Deputy Commissioner has been instructed to submit a detailed report on the encroachment.

Ering's letter also highlighted that the encroachment violates the terms of agreements made during the inter-state boundary discussions in January 2023 to prevent new settlements. He alleged that officials from Assam allowed cattle sheds and cultivation within the sanctuary.

The D Ering Memorial Wildlife Sanctuary is significant both historically and ecologically. The sanctuary was named in honour of the late Dr Daying Ering, a respected person in the modern history of Arunachal Pradesh. The late leader's son, Ering, has been outspoken in his attempts to save the sanctuary, even requesting the Union Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change (MoEFCC) to step in.

Conservationists and wildlife activists from both states are hopeful that the Arunachal and Assam governments would work together to support conservation efforts and stop more encroachments, guaranteeing the preservation of this crucial sanctuary.

2
Fact Sheet

Demand/Contention of the Affected Community

Opposition against environmental degradation

Other Demand/Contention of the Affected Community

Region Classification

Urban

Type of Land

Common

Forest

What was the action taken by the police?

How many people did the police detain or arrest?

What is the current status of the detained/accused persons?

Did the person face any violence while in police custody?

If any arrests took place, were the accused persons produced before a judge within 24 hours of the arrest?

If the accused was not produced before a magistrate within 24 hours, or not produced at all, what were the reasons?

Legislation under which the accused was charged

Was the accused person informed of their right to legal representation? Did the accused person have access to legal aid?

In cases where the accused person approached the court for bail, was bail granted?

Why was bail granted or rejected? If granted, what were the bail conditions and quantum of bail?

Were there any other notable irregularities that took place, or other significant details?

Details of sources (names of accused, names and numbers of any lawyers, names of any police officers contacted)

Status of Project

Original Project Deadline

Whether the Project has been Delayed

Significance of Land to Land Owners/Users

Other Natural Resource extraction/dependence, Other environmental services

Whether the project was stalled due to land conflict

Source/Reference

Total investment involved (in Crores):

Type of investment:

Year of Estimation

Page Number In Investment Document:

Has the Conflict Ended?

No

When did it end?

Why did the conflict end?

4
Additional Information
Nature of Protest

Complaints/petitions/letters/memorandums to officials

Government Departments Involved in the Conflict:

PSUs Involved in the Conflict:

Did LCW Approach Government Authorities for Comments?

Name, Designation and Comment of the Government Authorities Approached

Corporate Parties Involved in the Conflict:

Did LCW Approach Corporate Parties for Comments?

Communities/Local Organisations in the Conflict:

5
Information on the use of criminal law

What was the action taken by the police?

How many people did the police detain or arrest?

What is the current status of the detained/accused persons?

Did the person face any violence while in police custody?

If any arrests took place, were the accused persons produced before a judge within 24 hours of the arrest?

If the accused was not produced before a magistrate within 24 hours, or not produced at all, what were the reasons?

Legislation under which the accused was charged

Was the accused person informed of their right to legal representation? Did the accused person have access to legal aid?

In cases where the accused person approached the court for bail, was bail granted?

Why was bail granted or rejected? If granted, what were the bail conditions and quantum of bail?

Were there any other notable irregularities that took place, or other significant details?

Legal Supporting Documents

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Fact sheet

Demand/Contention of the Affected Community

Opposition against environmental degradation

If any arrests took place, were the accused persons produced before a judge within 24 hours of the arrest?

Was the accused person informed of their right to legal representation? Did the accused person have access to legal aid?

In cases where the accused person approached the court for bail, was bail granted?

Why was bail granted or rejected? If granted, what were the bail conditions and quantum of bail?

Were there any other notable irregularities that took place, or other significant details?

Status of Project

Original Project Deadline

Whether the Project has been Delayed

Significance of Land to Land Owners/Users

Other Natural Resource extraction/dependence, Other environmental services

Whether the project was stalled due to land conflict

Source/Reference

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