HT Bureau
GUWAHATI, Aug 3: The ongoing eviction drive launched by the Assam Forest Department – in close coordination with the Golaghat district administration, Assam Police, Central Reserve Police Force and the Government of Nagaland – has entered the adjoining Nambor South Reserve Forest with operations on the sixth day targeting encroached pockets in Gelajan and 3 No. Rajapukhuri.
According to an official statement, more than 350 households were evicted and nearly 1,000 bighas of forestland reclaimed during the day-long operation that began early in the morning and was executed without any resistance.
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The eviction was carried out amid a tight security net and extensive preparation by the civil and forest administration to prevent any untoward incident.
The present phase marks a shift from the Rengma Reserve Forest, where the first phase of the drive concluded on Saturday, to the adjoining tracts of the Nambor South Reserve Forest — a key protected forest under growing threat from illegal encroachment.
Officials said today’s operation reflects the State government’s resolve to safeguard Assam’s dwindling forest cover and restore ecologically fragile areas that have been under pressure from human settlements.
Senior officials overseeing the drive included special chief secretary MK Yadav, Golaghat deputy commissioner Pulak Mahanta, superintendent of police Rajen Singh, and Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF).
They monitored the operation on the ground to ensure that the eviction was conducted lawfully and peacefully.
The large contingent of personnel from the forest forces, district administration and security agencies began the eviction early in the morning using mechanised support to dismantle illegal houses and clear temporary structures.
By evening, significant areas previously under squatter occupation were vacated and sealed.
Official sources said that the reclaimed land would be fenced off and steps are being initiated to prevent re-encroachment.
The ongoing eviction operation, which began earlier this week, is part of a wide-ranging ecological restoration initiative undertaken by the Assam government to free encroached reserve forests across the State.
According to the Forest Department, the campaign aims to reclaim several thousand bighas of protected land in a phased manner and revive habitats critical to wildlife conservation.
With progress made today in the Nambor South Reserve Forest, authorities indicated that the operations will continue in the coming days to cover remaining pockets still under illegal occupation.
The drive, officials asserted, underscores the State’s uncompromising stand on protection of its forest resources and its commitment to ensuring long-term environmental sustainability.
