Assam to Launch Fresh Eviction Drive in Rengma Reserve Forest

The Assam government is set to launch a fresh eviction drive in the Rengma Reserve Forest, located in Uriumghat, Golaghat district, targeting approximately 2,500 bighas (about 827 acres) of illegally encroached land. This upcoming operation follows a recent large-scale eviction in the same area, which successfully recovered over 10,000 bighas of forest land and dismantled numerous unauthorized structures. The Golaghat district administration has completed all necessary preparations to carry out the eviction smoothly.

The initiative forms part of a broader state-wide campaign to reclaim government, forest, and Village Grazing Reserve/Protected Grazing Reserve (VGR/PGR) lands from illegal occupants. Since the campaign’s inception, Assam has successfully reclaimed more than 1.29 lakh bighas across the state. The first phase of the Rengma Reserve Forest eviction drive concluded on August 2, covering key areas such as Bidyapur and Madhupur. The operation dismantled illegal constructions across several high-density encroachment zones, including Pithaghat, Sonaribeel, Doyalpur, Dolonipathar, Kherbari, and Anandapur.

Alongside the Rengma Reserve Forest operation, a separate eviction drive took place on Sunday in Biswanath district, indicating the government’s commitment to securing forest and grazing lands throughout Assam. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma highlighted the importance of these efforts in a post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), emphasizing that protecting forests and grazing areas is crucial for the well-being of future generations.

Special Chief Secretary Yadav informed the media that the ongoing eviction operations have cleared around 8,900 bighas of protected forest land and removed over 4,000 unauthorized structures, underlining the scale and intensity of the campaign. The removal of illegal encroachments is seen as vital to preserving Assam’s ecological balance and protecting forest resources from degradation.

Sarupathar MLA Biswajit Phukan praised the well-coordinated efforts by various government departments, describing the eviction drive as essential to curbing illegal activities and safeguarding Assam’s environmental future. He also pointed out the potential for the Rengma Reserve Forest to be developed as an eco-tourism destination, which could bring sustainable economic benefits to the region while preserving its natural heritage.

District Commissioner Pulak Mahanta credited the smooth execution of the eviction drive to meticulous planning and effective inter-departmental collaboration. He stressed the importance of ongoing field-level monitoring to ensure that the progress made is sustained and that encroachments do not reoccur. The emphasis on monitoring highlights the government’s recognition of the challenges involved in forest conservation and the need for persistent efforts.

Senior Superintendent of Police Rajen Singh lauded the Assam Police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) for maintaining law and order throughout the eviction operations, ensuring the safety of both officials and residents during the process. Their role was critical in preventing conflicts and enabling a peaceful execution of the eviction drives.

In summary, Assam’s latest eviction drive in the Rengma Reserve Forest represents a continued and determined effort by the state government to reclaim encroached forest land, restore ecological balance, and protect the rights of future generations. The campaign’s success is attributed to thorough planning, multi-departmental cooperation, and strong law enforcement support, all of which are crucial to sustaining Assam’s rich forest resources and promoting sustainable development.