Assam: Over 3,400 hectares forest area cleared of encroachments

GUWAHATI: Over 3,400 hectares of forest area have been cleared of encroachments by the Environment and Forest Department from 2016-2021.

During the period 2016-2020, the department eradicated encroachments from reserved forest lands, wildlife sanctuaries, national parks, and other protected areas of around covering 3,000 hectares.

There have been 2,960 illegal constructions demolished and 194 people arrested.

Between April 2021 and June 23, a total of 915.05 hectares were cleared of encroachments. 185.55 hectare has been cleared in the Lower Assam Zone, 2.5 hectare in the Upper Assam Zone, 615 hectare in the Karbi Anglong West Division, 50 hectare in the Karbi Anglong East Division, 40 hectare in Kokrajhar's Haltugaon, and around 22 hectare in the Orang National Park.

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Environment and Forest Minister, Parimal Suklabaidya has been on a mission to clear reserved forests and other protected areas, such as wildlife sanctuaries and national parks.

Minister Suklabaidya stated that the department is dedicated to removing encroachments from forest areas with the assistance of the civil and police administrations.

"A zero-tolerance policy will be implemented against encroachments in forest lands, wildlife sanctuaries, national parks, bio reserves, and other protected places," he stated, adding that offenders will face legal punishment.

The department is also trying to end up revenue from sand and stone mahals in Minor Mineral Concession Areas as well as render 49 mahals functional.

There are 418 mahals in all, 297 in the Upper and Lower Assam Zones and 121 in the 6th Schedule, with 126 are funtional under Upper and Lower Zones and 81 in the 6th Schedule. There have been 57 mahals put up for tender, 55 cases settled as a following of tenders and 50 cases pending due to litigation.

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In 2020-2021, the department generated Rs.302.38 crore in revenue, with an approximate value of Rs.20.02 crore in June 2021-2022.

To increase the state's green cover, massive afforestation programmes have been implemented. For the current fiscal year, the Social Forestry Wing has developed an action plan. 50 km of avenue and median plantations along NHs falling under Bongaigaon, Barpeta and Nalbari districts with funding by NHAI, greening of greater Guwahati city on the median and along the roadside from Panjabari to LGBI Airport, 220 hectare of plantation for all Forest Development Agencies under the National Afforestation Program and 720 hectare for all divisions under CAMPA will be taken up.

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