Assam Intensifies Eviction Drive to Reclaim Forest Land

Removing all encroachers may take a minimum of 10 years.

- Nibir Deka

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has stated that the ongoing survey and eviction drives across the state aim to free forest land from illegal encroachment.

He said that all deputy commissioners have been instructed to clear forest areas of encroachers while ensuring that indigenous tribal communities are allowed to stay under provisions of the Forest Act, as they are the original inhabitants.

The Chief Minister noted that although several eviction drives have already been carried out, removing all encroachers will take a minimum of 10 years due to the large number of illegal immigrants who have occupied forest land in different districts.

He reiterated the government's commitment to restoring forest areas and protecting the rights of indigenous people while continuing the crackdown on illegal settlers.

This comes at a time when several people living in forest areas have received notices ordering them to vacate.

In Karimganj district, the Forest Division issued an eviction notice to Gopal Biswas, a resident of Jasmankapur village, for allegedly occupying forest land without authorization and constructing a house while cultivating the encroached land.