Biswanath, Assam – In a landmark move poised to transform the lives of thousands, Assam’s Health, Family Welfare, and Irrigation Minister, Ashok Singhal, on Monday, July 28, distributed land title certificates to 2,145 families across four areas of Biswanath district.
This significant step, taken under the Forest Rights Act, grants long-awaited legal recognition to forest-dwelling communities who have called these ancestral lands home for generations, marking an end to their precarious existence.
The expansive distribution saw 1,336 beneficiaries in Biswanath, 157 in Gohpur, 509 in Naduar, and 143 in Bihali receiving their titles. With this latest tranche, the total number of land titles issued in the district now stands at an impressive figure of nearly 12,000, underscoring the state government’s sustained commitment to this vital cause.
Addressing a jubilant gathering, Minister Singhal strongly reaffirmed the Assam government’s unwavering dedication to protecting indigenous rights. He emphatically stated, “Under the dynamic leadership of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, we have consistently prioritised the recognition of our esteemed forest-dwelling communities. From today onwards, they will never again be labelled as encroachers on their own land.”
Minister Singhal further elaborated on the profound impact of this initiative, highlighting how the absence of official land documents had historically excluded numerous tribal families from accessing crucial government schemes. “With legal ownership now firmly in their hands, these families are rightfully entitled to the same comprehensive support and benefits as any other citizen of our state,” he declared, emphasising the dawn of a new era for these communities.
Reflecting on the intrinsic bond between tribal communities and the natural world, Singhal passionately asserted that “those who have diligently worshipped nature for centuries are, unequivocally, its true custodians.” He also invoked the rich historical tapestry of the region, recalling the ancient Ban dynasty of undivided Sonitpur, which was, remarkably, ruled by a Bodo king – a lesser-known fact that powerfully underlines the deep and enduring roots of tribal heritage in the heart of Assam.
The momentous event was graced by the distinguished presence of several prominent dignitaries, including MLAs Pramod Borthakur, Utpal Bora, and Diganta Ghatowar. Also in attendance were Zilla Parishad Chairperson Sunita Tanty, Deputy Commissioners Dhruvajyoti Das and Lukumani Bora, SP Shubhashish Barua, and other senior officials, all bearing witness to this pivotal moment in Assam’s journey towards equitable development and social justice.
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