Assam govt reclaims 660 hectares in Sribhumi; 220 hectares still to be cleared: CM Sarma
Guwahati, Feb 9
The Assam government has reclaimed 660 hectares of encroached land in Sribhumi Reserved Forest over the past two days, with another 220 hectares pending clearance, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Monday, as the state's determined anti-encroachment campaign gathers pace.
Posting on X, Sarma said the "relentless pursuit continues", emphasising that the operation was aimed at restoring forest lands and government property that had been illegally occupied.
He reiterated the government's commitment to freeing every inch of encroached land, a signature priority of his administration since taking office. The current eviction drive in Sribhumi district's Patharkandi sector is one of the largest in recent months.
Authorities issued eviction notices to more than 2,000 families and deployed heavy machinery along with security personnel to dismantle permanent and temporary structures within the reserved forest area.
Much of the targeted land has already been vacated, with remaining settlements being cleared progressively. This operation forms part of a broader crackdown launched by the Assam government across multiple districts, aimed at removing illegal encroachments from forest and government lands.
Since mid-2025, eviction drives have been carried out in Golaghat's Uriamghat region, Dhubri, Hailakandi and other areas, reclaiming thousands of hectares and prompting the displacement of hundreds of settlers.
While the government insists the exercise is vital for protecting public land and preventing unauthorised occupation, several eviction drives have sparked controversy and criticism from civil society groups, who have raised concerns over rehabilitation and humanitarian impacts on affected families.
The Sribhumi operation is expected to continue in phases until the remaining 220 hectares are cleared, officials said, underscoring the administration's stated resolve to uphold the rule of law and safeguard Assam's natural resources.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Finally some action! These reserved forests are for wildlife and our ecosystem. Illegal occupation for years has caused so much damage. Kudos to CM Sarma for taking this head on. Hope they continue this drive across all protected areas. 🌳
My heart goes out to the 2000+ families. Where will they go now? The government's "rule of law" sounds good on paper, but what about the human cost? There should have been a survey and rehabilitation plan announced BEFORE the eviction. This seems very heavy-handed.
This is a complex issue. On one hand, protecting forests is critical for Assam's future, especially with climate change. On the other, evicting thousands without a solid safety net creates a different kind of crisis. The government needs to balance both - reclaim land AND support rehabilitation transparently.
Watching from abroad, this seems like a positive step for environmental conservation. Illegal deforestation is a global problem. However, the humanitarian aspect cannot be ignored. International best practices always emphasize "Free, Prior and Informed Consent" and proper resettlement. Hope Assam is following those guidelines.
The scale is massive - 660 hectares cleared in two days! This shows the level of encroachment that was happening. While the action is needed, I just hope the political will remains to also go after the big players and land mafias who often facilitate these illegal settlements, not just the poor settlers.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.