Daijiworld Media Network – Guwahati

Guwahati, Aug 2: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has announced that the ongoing state-wide eviction drives aimed at reclaiming forest and government land from encroachers may take up to a decade to complete, citing the scale of illegal occupation, especially by immigrants.

Speaking to the media, CM Sarma said, “Every Deputy Commissioner has been directed to assess and report the extent of forest encroachment. We will continue our mission to free forest areas, except where the Forest Rights Act allows indigenous and tribal communities to reside.”

He emphasised that genuine forest dwellers recognised under the Forest Rights Act will be protected, while others will be evicted. “Our aim is to restore forest cover and uphold the rights of Assam’s original inhabitants,” he added.

The Chief Minister said that the government is firm in its resolve, though the process would be lengthy. “Evicting all encroachers will take at least 10 years given the extent of illegal settlement across various districts.”

According to a report by the Union Environment Ministry submitted to the National Green Tribunal (NGT), Assam has 3,620.9 square kilometres (3,62,090 hectares) of forest land under encroachment as of March 2024 — the second-highest in the country after Madhya Pradesh.

The Assam government has intensified its eviction drives in recent months, sparking debates around land rights and resettlement policies. However, the CM has reiterated that the campaign will strike a balance between conservation and the rights of indigenous people.