Guwahati: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has sharply criticized the Assam government and the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) for their failure to address widespread encroachment within three key reserve forests, despite repeated directives.
The tribunal’s rebuke came during a hearing on January 23, highlighting the authorities’ continued non-compliance with orders issued in August 2024 to submit affidavits detailing actions taken against illegal land occupation in Charduar Reserve Forest, Balipara Reserve Forest, and Sonai Rupai Wildlife Sanctuary.
The case, brought forth by RTI activist Dilip Nath, has exposed large-scale encroachments allegedly facilitated through political influence.
Nath claims that nearly 1,115 individuals have been unlawfully granted land rights within these protected forests, covering approximately 220 km of ecologically sensitive land.
He accused the state government of failing to protect its forests, stating that political figures, including Dhekiajuli MLA Ashok Singhal, have turned a blind eye to the encroachments for electoral gain.
His allegations are supported by satellite imagery, which he presented to the NGT as evidence of the ongoing destruction.
The tribunal, presided over by Justice B. Amit Sthalekar and Dr. Arun Kumar Verma, expressed dissatisfaction with a previous affidavit submitted by the Assam Chief Secretary, which lacked concrete steps taken to remove encroachers or prevent further occupation.
The affidavit was also vague on measures regarding encroachments by individuals from Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes, further intensifying concerns about transparency.
In response to the government’s inaction, the NGT has now directed the MoEF&CC to submit a detailed and comprehensive reply addressing all allegations raised in Nath’s petition.
The ministry and the Assam government have been given until April 8, 2025, to present an exhaustive affidavit outlining corrective measures.
The tribunal’s insistence on accountability signals the urgency of protecting Assam’s fragile ecosystems and curbing illegal land occupation.
As the case progresses, it is expected to set a significant precedent for environmental conservation in Assam. With growing pressure from activists and legal authorities, the government’s response—or continued negligence—will determine the fate of these reserve forests and the broader fight against encroachment in protected areas.
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