Assam's Chief Minister Highlights Major Anti-Encroachment Successes
Significant Land Reclamation Efforts in Assam
Guwahati, July 15: On Tuesday, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma provided an extensive overview of the state's initiatives against encroachment, revealing that over 119,548 bighas (around 160 square kilometers) of land have been retrieved from alleged illegal occupants in the last four years (2021-2026).
“Since the commencement of these operations, we have successfully liberated extensive areas of reserved forests, wildlife sanctuaries, grazing lands, and religious sites from encroachment,” he stated during a press conference at Lok Sewa Bhawan in Dispur.
Official statistics indicate that land has been reclaimed across various categories:
- More than 84,700 bighas from reserved forests and wildlife sanctuaries
- Approximately 3,650 bighas from village grazing reserves (VGR) and professional grazing reserves (PGR)
- Over 26,700 bighas of common government land
- About 4,450 bighas from religious institutions, including satras, namghars, and temples
Chief Minister Sarma emphasized that in many of these reclaimed areas, forest regeneration has commenced, and wildlife is gradually returning to their natural habitats.
“There are claims suggesting that after eviction, individuals return to the same lands or that we have transferred these lands to others. I want to clarify that this is not the case,” Sarma asserted.
This was followed by a presentation from Special Chief Secretary (Forest), M.K. Yadava, who showcased the ecological recovery taking place in various regions.
“In locations like Goalpara, the transformation is evident. Forest areas that were previously converted into settlements and agricultural land are now regenerating,” Sarma remarked.
In the Paikan Reserve Forest of Goalpara, 138 hectares were cleared in July 2024, and 130 hectares in the Athiabari Reserve Forest were freed in March 2024, he noted.
Previously, settlers had cleared these forests for bamboo and sal tree cultivation, but following eviction, elephants have begun to return to these regions.
In Lumding Reserve Forest, 1,410 hectares were cleared in November 2021. Sarma reported that nearly 200 elephants, along with leopards and snakes, have since been sighted in the area.
In Burachapori Wildlife Sanctuary, 2,112 hectares were reclaimed in February 2023. This area, which had been converted into farmland, experienced significant wildlife loss, including the death of ten rhinos. “Now, rhinos are making a comeback, and the forest cover is steadily increasing,” Sarma stated.
In Pabha Reserve Forest (Lakhimpur), 1,750 hectares were cleared in January 2023. Large portions of land had been transformed into mustard fields and leased to outsiders. “In some instances, individuals had encroached upon 300 to 400 bighas each,” the Chief Minister mentioned.
In Orang Tiger Reserve, 2,899 hectares were cleared in May 2023. Sarma noted that these initiatives are not only restoring forest cover but are also vital for the revival of displaced wildlife populations.
Responding to criticism regarding isolated incidents like tree-felling in Guwahati for development, Sarma remarked, “When one or two trees are cut in Guwahati, there is public outcry. Yet, the same voices remain silent about the thousands of hectares of forests we have reclaimed.”
He added that the Forest Department would soon release a comprehensive update on the current status and future plans for the reclaimed lands.
“Our main objective is to ensure that these lands are protected and that wildlife returns to their natural habitats. Assam’s forests are finally experiencing a positive transformation after years of neglect,” the Chief Minister concluded.