Staff Reporter
GUWAHATI, Feb 12: Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday highlighted the scale of forest land encroachment in the state, asserting that nearly 2,676 square kilometres of forest area—almost twice the size of Delhi—is currently under illegal occupation, a crisis he attributed to the previous Congress government.
Taking to social media platform X, Sarma said the figures were being shared to put things in perspective for people who may not be aware of the magnitude of the problem inherited by the present government.
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“2,676 sq km of forest land—an area almost twice the size of Delhi—is under encroachment. Rest assured, BJP4Assam is working to fix this,” the chief minister posted.
The statement comes amid a series of eviction drives and forest protection measures undertaken by the Assam government across several districts.
According to officials, the government has intensified efforts to reclaim encroached forest land as part of its broader strategy to conserve wildlife habitats, protect ecological balance, and ensure sustainable development.
Senior BJP leaders have repeatedly alleged that unchecked encroachment during the earlier Congress regimes led to large-scale degradation of reserved forests and wildlife corridors.
The current dispensation maintains that the issue poses serious threats to biodiversity, human-animal conflict management, and long-term environmental security in the state.
Government sources said that detailed surveys and satellite mapping are being used to assess the extent of encroachment and identify priority areas for action.
The reclaimed land, officials added, would be restored through afforestation drives and strengthened forest management practices.
The opposition, however, has criticised the eviction exercises, alleging that they disproportionately affect marginalised communities.
The state government has countered these claims, asserting that all actions are being carried out in accordance with the law and after following due process.
Political observers view Sarma’s remarks as part of the BJP’s effort to underline its governance narrative ahead of upcoming elections, projecting a firm stance on land protection and environmental governance while blaming past administrations for the crisis.
With forest conservation emerging as a key policy plank, the Assam government has reiterated its commitment to reclaim encroached land and safeguard the state’s natural resources, even as the debate over evictions and rehabilitation continues.
