Over 3 lakh hectares of land still under encroachment in state: Assam Forest Minister Jayanta Mallabaruah informs Assembly
Guwahati, July 7
Encroachment of reserved forest areas and national parks, wildlife sanctuary across Assam has become a major concern as more than 3.14 lakh hectares of forest land are still under encroachment, Assam Forest Minister Jayanta Mallabaruah informed the state assembly on Tuesday.
The Assam Forest Department has informed the Assam Legislative Assembly that 3,14,139.435 hectares of 8 National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuary and 281 reserve forest are still under encroachment.
Replying to a query of AGP MLA Diptimayee Choudhury, Assam Forest Minister Jayanta Mallabaruah told the state assembly that, 17421.5 hectares of land of 8 National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuary and 2,96,717.935 hectares of land of 281 reserve forest are still under encroachment.
The Minister further said that, in 5 years the Assam government carried out massive eviction drive across the state and freed 16,937.2466 hectares of encroached land (1,26,605.92 bighas of land) of National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuary, reserve forest area in the state.
"In 2025-26, the state government freed 4688.34 hectares of encroached land of reserve forest area in the state. In last 5 years from 2021-22 to 2025-26 a total of 5918.14 hectares of encroached land of 8 National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuary of the state," the Minister said.
He further said that a plantation has been created in evicted areas in different parts of the state.
It is to be mentioned that, the Assam Forest department has planned to plant 1 crore saplings across the state in the month of August (by August 14) with involvement of students of Class 9 and above.
In view of the initiative to plant more saplings, Assam Minister for Agriculture, Irrigation, Pijush Hazarika on Sunday also attended the "Ceremonial Distribution of Seeds and Planting Materials" organized by Assam Agricultural University (AAU) at the Horticulture Research Station campus at Kahikuchi in Kamrup district.
Thanking AAU for the initiative, the Minister announced that the Agriculture Department has set an ambitious target to distribute 1 crore high-yielding horticulture saplings across the state.
Minister Hazarika issued a strong call to the state's youth to embrace commercial farming rather than migrating for menial jobs. He urged them to work hard and find practical solutions to challenges rather than blaming manageable factors like squirrel menace or unverified mobile tower radiation for low yields.
— ANI
Reader Comments
The situation in Assam's forests is alarming. Our national parks and wildlife sanctuaries are under threat. While evictions are necessary, we must also consider the human aspect - many of these encroachers are poor people with nowhere to go. The government should provide alternative rehabilitation and not just throw people out. Also, the Minister's call to youth for commercial farming is great - we need to create local livelihoods so people don't need to encroach forests for survival. 🌱
I appreciate the transparency with exact figures, but 3.14 lakh hectares still encroached is shocking. In 5 years, only 16,937 hectares freed? At this rate it'll take decades to clear all encroachment. Need faster action. The plantation drive with students is a wonderful initiative though - getting young people involved in conservation from early age. But commercial farming push shouldn't come at cost of forests - sustainable farming on already degraded land is better.
Jai hind! This is a classic case of the tragedy of the commons. Our precious forest land being eaten up bit by bit. The government's eviction numbers look good on paper but ground reality is different - I've seen areas in Kaziranga where encroachment continues unchecked. The best part is the plantation target of 1 crore saplings - but will they survive? Need proper care and community involvement. Also, kudos to Minister Hazarika for urging youth to take up commercial farming instead of menial jobs in cities. That's the real solution. 🇮🇳
The scale of encroachment is mind-boggling - over 3 lakh hectares! That's roughly the size of entire Delhi city many times over. While I support conservation, we need to be realistic - many of these are poor farmers who have no other land. The government should first provide alternative land or compensation before eviction. The commercial farming idea is good in theory but needs proper infrastructure, market access,
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