The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the Assam Chief Secretary to submit a comprehensive affidavit by April 8, 2025, regarding illegal encroachment in Charduar and Balipara Reserve Forests, and Sonai Rupai Wildlife Sanctuary. The tribunal also criticized the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) and the Assam government for failing to provide detailed reports on encroachment issues despite prior orders. The directive comes amid growing concerns over forest land occupation and the lack of concrete action by the authorities to address the issue.
NGT’s Criticism of Assam Government and MoEF&CC
During a hearing on January 23, the NGT bench comprising Justices B. Amit Sthalekar and Dr. Arun Kumar Verma expressed displeasure over the Assam government’s failure to comply with previous orders.
- Previous orders ignored: Despite an earlier directive issued in August 2024, both the Assam Chief Secretary and MoEF&CC failed to submit a detailed affidavit addressing encroachments in the Charduar Reserve Forest, Balipara Reserve Forest, and Sonai Rupai Wildlife Sanctuary.
- Incomplete affidavit from MoEF&CC: The ministry submitted an affidavit in November 2024, but it did not include specific details on forest encroachment, making it inadequate.
- Lack of clarity in state response: The Assam Chief Secretary’s affidavit submitted in August 2024 lacked clear information on actions taken against illegal settlers, particularly Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Class (OBC) populations who may have encroached on forest land.
Encroachment in Assam’s Protected Forests: A Growing Crisis
The case revolves around a petition filed by RTI activist Dilip Nath, who raised concerns about the illegal occupation of protected forest lands in Assam.
Key Findings from the Case:
- Illegal land occupation: Nath’s petition highlights that approximately 1,115 individuals have been unlawfully granted land rights within Charduar and Balipara Reserve Forests and Sonai Rupai Wildlife Sanctuary, leading to the occupation of nearly 220 km of protected land.
- Evidence from satellite imagery: Nath presented satellite images to the NGT, showcasing illegal settlements and deforestation in protected areas.
- Political interference allegations: The RTI activist also accused political leaders of facilitating the illegal occupation for electoral gains. He directly blamed Dhekiajuli MLA Ashok Singhal and the Assam government, alleging that they have compromised the integrity of reserve forests to secure votes.
Assam Forest Department’s Response
In an affidavit filed in July 2024, the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests stated that the Assam Forest Department had been directed to prepare a comprehensive resettlement and rehabilitation plan for those encroaching on Nameri National Park-Sonai Rupai Wildlife Sanctuary landscape.
However, the lack of concrete action and the delay in addressing the issue have raised questions about the government’s commitment to protecting Assam’s forest reserves.
Environmental Impact of Encroachment in Assam’s Reserve Forests
The illegal encroachment of Assam’s reserve forests poses severe environmental risks, including:
- Deforestation & Habitat Loss – Illegal settlements lead to massive deforestation, destroying habitats of endangered wildlife in these protected areas.
- Glacial Retreat & Climate Change – Encroachments contribute to increased human activity, leading to deforestation-related climate change issues, as recently highlighted by a study on glacial retreat in Arunachal Pradesh.
- Threat to Wildlife – The Sonai Rupai Wildlife Sanctuary and Balipara Reserve Forest are home to several endangered species, whose survival is threatened by illegal land occupation.
- Risk of Human-Wildlife Conflict – As forest land shrinks, animals are forced into human settlements, leading to increased instances of human-wildlife conflict.
NGT’s Order and the Way Forward
The NGT has given the Assam government until April 8, 2025, to file a comprehensive affidavit detailing:
- The extent of illegal encroachment in Assam’s reserve forests.
- Measures taken to remove illegal settlers and prevent further occupation.
- Resettlement and rehabilitation plans for affected populations.
- Steps to restore and protect forest lands from further degradation.
The tribunal’s directive is seen as a crucial step toward addressing the long-standing issue of encroachment in Assam’s forests. However, it remains to be seen whether the state government will take decisive action or continue to delay enforcement measures.
The NGT’s directive to the Assam Chief Secretary is a major wake-up call for the state government and the MoEF&CC to take forest conservation seriously. With Assam’s forests facing alarming encroachment, it is imperative that the authorities act swiftly to reclaim protected lands and implement effective conservation strategies.