Goalpara | TPO Bureau | Agencies Input Assam Clears Illegal Forest Settlements as 95% Encroachers Exit Voluntarily
In a significant move to reclaim forest land from illegal occupation, the administration in Assam’s Goalpara district has announced that nearly 95% of the encroachers residing in the Paikan Reserve Forest have vacated the area voluntarily. The announcement came just a day before a scheduled eviction drive aimed at removing unauthorized settlements from over 1,000 bighas of forest land.
The eviction drive, originally planned for Friday, was deferred by a day to respect the Friday prayers observed by the local Muslim-majority population. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma confirmed the postponement, underscoring the government’s sensitivity to cultural and religious practices during such administrative operations.
According to Goalpara District Commissioner Khanindra Choudhury, the majority of the illegal settlers have proactively dismantled their huts and makeshift structures and transported their belongings away from the forest site. “Only a few immovable brick structures remain. The rest have cleared out. We are fully prepared to maintain law and order during the final eviction,” said Choudhury.
Forest department officials revealed that the eviction plan targeted encroachments across 1,040 bighas (approximately 343 acres) within the Paikan Reserve Forest, located in the Krishnai Forest Range. The Goalpara Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Tejas Mariswamy, stated that over 1,080 families had settled illegally on the land.
“These families were issued notices last year between November and December to vacate. A final notice was sent in June, asking them to leave by July 10,” said Mariswamy. The forest department, in coordination with the local administration, has since made comprehensive preparations for a peaceful and organized clearing process.
The district’s proactive approach, including prior warnings and clear deadlines, appears to have yielded positive results, with minimal resistance reported so far. The administration has also stressed that security forces are on standby to assist the forest department if needed during the operation.
This eviction is part of a broader state-led initiative to restore forest land encroached upon in recent years. Since 2023, forest authorities in Assam have cleared illegal settlements from over 650 hectares of land across four forest ranges. This included 200 hectares that were being used for residential purposes, while the remaining 450 hectares had been converted into farmland.
Earlier this week, another large-scale eviction drive took place in the neighboring Dhubri district. Authorities successfully removed encroachments from nearly 3,500 bighas (over 1,160 acres) of land spanning the villages of Charuwa Bakra, Chirakuta, and Santoshpur, which fall under the Chapar Circle. The operation affected around 1,100 families and was executed without major disruptions, indicating growing administrative efficiency in handling such sensitive exercises.
The Assam government has intensified efforts to reclaim forest land in response to growing concerns over ecological damage, deforestation, and human-wildlife conflict caused by illegal settlements. These efforts are also in line with the broader environmental policies aimed at protecting biodiversity and improving forest cover in the state.
Chief Minister Sarma has frequently reiterated his administration’s commitment to restoring forest land and upholding the rule of law. In past remarks, he emphasized that no illegal occupation, regardless of the community or region, would be tolerated. “The forests of Assam belong to every citizen, and they must be protected for future generations,” he had stated during a previous eviction operation.
The success of the ongoing eviction efforts in Goalpara serves as a model for other districts facing similar issues. With most encroachers voluntarily withdrawing, the likelihood of confrontation has significantly reduced, reflecting a more cooperative approach between the administration and affected residents.
However, concerns remain regarding the rehabilitation of displaced families. Human rights groups and local organizations have urged the government to ensure that alternative arrangements, such as shelter, employment, and basic services, are provided to those evicted, particularly vulnerable groups including women, children, and the elderly.
As the eviction drive continues in Paikan Reserve Forest, all eyes are on how the state balances environmental conservation with humanitarian responsibility. The operation is expected to be completed over the weekend, after which a full assessment of the reclaimed area will be undertaken by forest officials.
