Archive · 2 Aug 2025
Assam Aims to Remove Forest Encroachments in 10 Years
The Assam government is working to clear out forest lands that have been illegally taken over by people.
They're doing this by identifying and removing these people, but it will take a long time.
They will make sure to protect the rights of original inhabitants and tribal communities.
The government's goal is to restore the forest areas.
Assam has a lot of forest land that has been encroached upon.
Assam is conducting eviction drives to remove illegal encroachments on forest and government land.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma stated the aim is to free forest land from illegal encroachments.
Deputy Commissioners are directed to identify and remove encroachers, protecting indigenous and tribal communities.
Removing all encroachers is estimated to take a minimum of 10 years.
As of March 2024, Assam had the second-highest forest area under encroachment among Indian states.
- Who
- Himanta Biswa Sarma, the Chief Minister of Assam.
- What
- The Assam government's effort to remove illegal forest encroachments.
- When
- Ongoing, with an estimated completion timeline of 10 years.
- Where
- Assam, India.
- Why
- To reclaim forest land, protect indigenous rights, and restore forest areas.
Those Displaced
Government Stance
Displacement Concerns
Those Displaced
Concerns for the people who have been displaced due to eviction.
Government Stance
The government is working to provide for the indigenous populations.
- Initiative
- Eviction drives to remove encroachments
- Goal
- Freeing forest land from illegal encroachments
- Estimated Time
- 10 years
- Encroached Area (March 2024)
- 3,620.9 sq km
- Affected Populations
- Illegal settlers and Indigenous/Tribal Communities
