Assam Government Vows to Protect Forests Amid Border Tensions
Government's Commitment to Forest Protection
Minister Jayanta Mallabaruah during a press briefing on Thursday
Biswanath, July 16: Following an incident where armed individuals from Arunachal Pradesh allegedly fired upon forest officials in the Behali Reserve Forest, Forest Minister Jayanta Mallabaruah emphasized the government's unwavering stance against forest land destruction.
"The attackers have a specific agenda, which prompted them to open fire. Our police will take appropriate action, and the Forest Department will collaborate with law enforcement to address this issue," he stated after a high-level meeting in Biswanath.
The minister reiterated that the government is committed to safeguarding forest areas and warned of severe consequences for those responsible for any destruction.
"While the border dispute is a separate issue, discussions are ongoing through a regional committee. However, it is crucial to protect forest land regardless of these disputes. Trees must be preserved, and no border conflict should justify forest destruction," he remarked.
During the high-level review meeting at the Biswanath Circuit House, the minister convened senior officials from the Forest Department, Assam Police, and the Ecological Task Force before visiting the affected area to evaluate the damage.
In his address to the media, Mallabaruah mentioned that he would assess the damage alongside officials from the Forest Department and the police to initiate restoration efforts.
"Today, I have summoned officials from the Forest Department, Police, and the Ecological Task Force. I will visit the site, and where destruction has occurred, we will take steps to replant trees. The actions of some individuals from Arunachal Pradesh have led to this situation," he stated.
Expressing his concern over the ongoing incidents, the minister noted that forest destruction has been reported along the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border in recent days, reaffirming that protecting forest land is a top priority for the government.
"In recent days, we have witnessed multiple incidents of forest destruction along the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border. Our goal is to prevent any further damage to forest land. Recent satellite imagery indicates that approximately 400 hectares of forest cover, which existed six months ago, has been partially destroyed," he added.
The high-level meeting included notable attendees such as Special Chief Secretary of the Forest Department M.K. Yadav, Inspector General of Police (Law and Order) Akhilesh Kumar Singh (IPS), Biswanath Senior Superintendent of Police MP Ranjit Dutta, Behali MLA Munindra Das, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Sandeep Kumar, Chief Conservator of Forests N. Anand, and other senior officials.
On Wednesday, tensions escalated along the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border in Biswanath district after alleged miscreants from Arunachal Pradesh opened fire on a team of Assam forest personnel who were on duty in the Behali Reserve Forest.
The Forest Department reported that the shooting occurred when officials attempted to stop alleged encroachers from building structures on Assam's land within the reserve forest.
The assailants reportedly discharged around 50 rounds at the forest personnel, but fortunately, no injuries were reported.