Guwahati: Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday welcomed a Supreme Court order permitting the state to proceed with evictions in reserve forest areas, subject to clearance by a specially constituted committee, calling it a “landmark judgment” that would streamline anti-encroachment operations.At a press conference, Sarma said the state has cleared more than 1.25 lakh bighas of forest land, while around 20 lakh bighas remain under encroachment after excluding areas occupied by eligible indigenous forest dwellers who will receive forest pattas under existing laws.
“This is a landmark judgment in the history of our forest department. The state govt has won a historic case that grants it full authority to evict encroachers from forest land. The court has also clarified that the inclusion of forest areas within panchayat jurisdictions cannot be used as an excuse to stop eviction,” he said.The Supreme Court on Tuesday allowed the Assam govt to form a committee of forest and revenue officials to examine unauthorised occupation in the Doyang Reserved Forest and neighbouring villages in Golaghat district. A bench of Justices PS Narasimha and Alok Aradhe directed the committee to issue notices to alleged encroachers, allow them to present evidence supporting their claim, and, if necessary, pass speaking orders giving occupants 15 days to vacate.Sarma said the petition disposed of by the apex court had created hurdles, as “evictions in certain pockets were stayed by court orders, leading to uncertainty.” He said the new order would allow the eviction process to move forward without ambiguity.He added that the committee mandated by the Supreme Court would be formally notified by Wednesday evening. The panel will comprise the deputy commissioner as chairman, the divisional forest officer as member secretary, and the additional deputy commissioner (Revenue), the concerned range officer, and the circle officer as members.In its judgment, the apex court underscored the ecological importance of forests and warned of the threat posed by encroachment, stating, “Forests constitute one of the most vital natural resources of the nation. They are not merely repositories of timber or land capable of alternate use, but complex ecological systems indispensable for maintaining environmental balance. Forests regulate climate, preserve biodiversity, recharge groundwater, prevent soil erosion, and act as natural carbon sinks mitigating the adverse effects of climate change. In a country as ecologically diverse and climatically vulnerable as India, the role of forests assumes even greater significance. Encroachment upon forest land has emerged as one of the gravest challenges confronting environmental governance in the country.”
