Guwahati, 01 August (HS): Clearing forest encroachments in Assam will be a decade-long mission, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma declared on Friday, highlighting the magnitude of the problem and the state’s commitment to reclaiming its green cover.

Rather than a one-time drive, the process will be gradual and continuous. “Each Deputy Commissioner has been tasked with identifying the extent of encroachment in their district’s forests,” the CM noted, stressing that eviction will be carried out wherever illegal settlements exist—barring those protected under the Forest Rights Act.

While vowing to uphold legal safeguards for indigenous forest dwellers, Sarma emphasized that restoring forest land is crucial to Assam’s ecological stability. “We are dealing with massive levels of encroachment. To reverse the damage, at least ten years of consistent action will be necessary,” he said.

This announcement coincides with ongoing government efforts to enforce environmental regulations, rehabilitate degraded forest tracts, and protect biodiversity. The government has already conducted several eviction operations in different districts—actions that have sparked both praise and protest.

The initiative is expected to tie into broader conservation strategies, aligning with national forest policies and international climate commitments.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash