Assam Forest Dept frees 3,400 hectare forest land from encroachment

Guwahati, June 26 (NKTV): The Environment and Forest Department of the Government of Assam has cleared over 3,400 hectare of forest land from encroachments, informed the department in a press statement.

The department has cleared encroachments from reserved forest lands, wildlife sanctuaries, national parks and other protected areas covering over 3,000 hectare during the period 2016-2020.

2,960 illegal structures have been destroyed with 194 persons arrested.

During the period from April 2021 to June 23, a total of 915.05 hectare has been cleared from encroachments.

Assam Environment and Forest Minister said that the department is committed to free the forest lands from encroachments with the help of civil and police administrations. “A zero tolerance policy will be adopted against encroachments in forest lands, wildlife sanctuaries, national parks, bio reserves and other protected areas” he said.

The Minister informed that the department has generated revenue of Rs 302.38 crore in 2020-2021 and Rs 20.02 crore approximately up to June 2021-2022.

Massive afforestation programmes have been taken up to expand the green cover in the state, he added.

An action plan has been taken up by Social Forestry Wing for the current financial year wherein 50 km of avenue and median plantations along NHs falling under Bongaigaon, Barpeta and Nalbari districts with funding by NHAI, greening of greater Guwahati city on the median and along the roadside from Panjabari to LGBI Airport, 220 hectare of plantation for all Forest Development Agencies under the National Afforestation Program and 720 hectare for all divisions under CAMPA will be taken up.

Featured Image: Representative (By Mrinmoy Buragohain)