Assam Chief Minister Welcomes Supreme Court's Landmark Forest Eviction Order
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday enthusiastically welcomed a Supreme Court order that permits the state government to proceed with evictions in reserve forest areas, subject to clearance by a specially constituted committee. Sarma described this as a "landmark judgment" that will significantly streamline anti-encroachment operations across the state.
State's Progress and Ongoing Challenges
During a detailed press conference, CM Sarma revealed that the state has already successfully cleared more than 1.25 lakh bighas of forest land from illegal occupation. However, he noted that approximately 20 lakh bighas still remain under encroachment. This figure excludes areas legally occupied by eligible indigenous forest dwellers who are entitled to receive forest pattas under existing protective laws.
"This is a landmark judgment in the history of our forest department," Sarma declared emphatically. "The state government has won a historic case that grants it full authority to evict encroachers from forest land. The court has also provided crucial clarification that the inclusion of forest areas within panchayat jurisdictions cannot be used as an excuse to halt eviction proceedings."
Supreme Court's Detailed Directive
The Supreme Court, in its Tuesday ruling, authorized the Assam government to establish a committee comprising forest and revenue officials. This committee will specifically examine cases of unauthorized occupation in the Doyang Reserved Forest and neighboring villages located within Golaghat district.
A bench presided over by Justices PS Narasimha and Alok Aradhe issued clear directives. The committee must issue formal notices to all alleged encroachers, provide them with a fair opportunity to present evidence supporting their land claims, and, if necessary, pass detailed speaking orders. These orders will grant occupants a 15-day period to voluntarily vacate the forest land before enforcement actions commence.
Removing Legal Hurdles and Uncertainty
Chief Minister Sarma explained that a previous petition, which has now been disposed of by the apex court, had created significant operational hurdles. "Evictions in certain pockets were stayed by court orders, leading to prolonged uncertainty and delays," he stated. The new Supreme Court order effectively removes these legal obstacles, allowing the eviction process to move forward with clarity and without ambiguity.
Sarma further announced that the committee mandated by the Supreme Court would be formally notified by Wednesday evening. The panel will be structured with the deputy commissioner serving as chairman, the divisional forest officer acting as member secretary, and including the additional deputy commissioner (Revenue), the concerned range officer, and the circle officer as key members.
Ecological Imperative Behind the Judgment
In its comprehensive judgment, the Supreme Court powerfully underscored the critical ecological importance of India's forests and issued a stern warning about the severe threat posed by encroachment. The court stated, "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."
The judgment elaborated further, highlighting that forests perform essential functions including climate regulation, biodiversity preservation, groundwater recharge, soil erosion prevention, and serving as natural carbon sinks that mitigate 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," the Supreme Court concluded, providing strong legal and environmental justification for the eviction proceedings.
