Guwahati, 31st July: The Assam Forest Department has disclosed the existence of 68 unauthorized schools within the Charduar Reserve Forest and Sonai Rupai Wildlife Sanctuary. This revelation came through an affidavit submitted to the National Green Tribunal (NGT), raising concerns about the potential disruption of education for approximately 3,000 students if immediate eviction measures are enforced.
The affidavit, dated April 8 and presented to the NGT’s Eastern Zone Bench in Kolkata, highlighted that these schools are operating without the required clearances, engaging in non-forest activities in violation of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980. Consequently, the Dhekiajuli range officer has filed a First Information Report (FIR) against the managing committees of these schools.
During a hearing on July 3, the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) of Assam was directed to report on the actions taken regarding the encroachments. In a subsequent affidavit, PCCF Rajpal Singh confirmed that the forest department is addressing the issue. Notices were issued on June 29 to the district mission coordinator of the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) in Sonitpur, citing the ongoing violations.
Singh underscored the need to consider the educational impact on the young students, mainly those in classes 1 to 5. “Immediately vacating the schools would seriously impair the educational growth of these young minds,” he stated. Singh also stressed that families should not be displaced until proper resettlement and rehabilitation plans are developed to ensure the continuity of the children’s education.
The NGT has instructed the forest department to draft a comprehensive resettlement and rehabilitation plan for the encroachers in the Nameri National Park – Sonai Rupai Wildlife Sanctuary landscape. This plan is expected to be submitted by the last week of September 2024, aiming to balance environmental conservation with the educational needs of the local communities. The case is scheduled for its next hearing on August 21.
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