Assam: Massive eviction drive clears 500 bighas of areca nut plantations in Rengma Reserved Forest

The Forest Department has launched a large-scale eviction drive to free the Rengma Reserved Forest from illegal encroachments, destroying hundreds of bighas of areca nut plantations in the Sonaribil area.

According to officials, nearly 500 bighas of areca nut plantations were cleared during the operation, with over a thousand trees felled within minutes. The eviction is part of a broader plan to reclaim forest land and restore it through extensive afforestation initiatives.

Already, saplings have been planted across 10 hectares of land, while an additional 150 bighas have been earmarked for the next phase of plantation. Authorities confirmed that the Assam Chief Minister is expected to take part in the upcoming plantation programme, with invitations also extended to the Nagaland Chief Minister.

Looking ahead, the Forest Department has set its sights on transforming the reclaimed forest area into a green tourist destination, combining ecological preservation with sustainable tourism potential.