Assam Forest Encroachment: Shocking 3.14 Lakh Hectares Still Under Illegal Occupation

The issue of Assam forest encroachment continues to pose one of the biggest environmental and administrative challenges in the state. More than 3.14 lakh hectares of forest land, including areas within national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and reserved forests, remain under illegal occupation despite extensive eviction drives carried out by the government over the last five years.

The alarming figures were revealed by Assam Forest Minister Jayanta Mallabaruah during the ongoing session of the Assam Legislative Assembly on Tuesday. Responding to a query raised by AGP MLA Diptimayee Choudhury, the minister informed lawmakers that while the state has reclaimed thousands of hectares through anti-encroachment operations, a vast area of ecologically sensitive land is still occupied illegally.

The latest data highlights the scale of the Assam forest encroachment problem and underscores the need for stronger conservation measures, sustainable rehabilitation policies, and continuous monitoring of protected forests.

More Than 3.14 Lakh Hectares Still Under Encroachment

According to information shared by the Forest Department, 3,14,139.435 hectares of forest land across the state remain under encroachment.

The affected land includes:

17,421.5 hectares within eight National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries.
2,96,717.935 hectares spread across 281 Reserved Forests.

These figures indicate that although the government has made progress through eviction drives, illegal occupation continues to threaten Assam’s biodiversity and forest ecosystem.

The Assam forest encroachment issue affects some of the state’s most ecologically important regions that serve as habitats for endangered wildlife species, maintain ecological balance, and support climate resilience.

Massive Eviction Drives Conducted in Five Years

Minister Jayanta Mallabaruah informed the Assembly that the Assam government has undertaken several large-scale eviction operations since 2021 to recover illegally occupied forest land.

According to official figures, between 2021-22 and 2025-26, authorities successfully reclaimed:

16,937.2466 hectares of forest land.
Equivalent to approximately 1,26,605.92 bighas.

These eviction drives covered National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries, and Reserved Forests throughout Assam.

The government stated that recovering these lands is essential to restoring forest cover, protecting wildlife habitats, and preventing further environmental degradation.

The Assam forest encroachment campaign has become one of the state’s largest forest conservation initiatives in recent years.

Significant Progress During 2025-26

The Forest Minister further revealed that during the financial year 2025-26, authorities cleared:

4,688.34 hectares of encroached Reserved Forest land.

Additionally, over the past five years:

5,918.14 hectares of encroached land within National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries have been successfully recovered.

Officials said these achievements reflect the government’s continued commitment to safeguarding Assam’s protected forests despite logistical and legal challenges associated with eviction operations.

Restoration Efforts After Evictions

Recovering land is only one part of the conservation strategy.

Minister Mallabaruah informed the Assembly that the Forest Department has already initiated plantation activities in reclaimed areas.

The Assam forest encroachment objective is to restore natural vegetation, rebuild degraded ecosystems, and improve wildlife habitats across previously encroached forest regions.

Reforestation plays an essential role in ensuring that reclaimed land is protected from future encroachments while also increasing green cover across Assam.

Experts believe that plantation activities following eviction drives significantly improve ecological recovery and biodiversity conservation.

One Crore Saplings to Be Planted Across Assam

As part of its broader environmental strategy, the Assam Forest Department has announced an ambitious plantation campaign.

The department plans to plant one crore saplings across the state by August 14.

One unique feature of the campaign is the active participation of students studying in Class 9 and above.

Officials believe involving young people in plantation drives will promote environmental awareness while encouraging community participation in protecting forests.

The campaign is expected to cover multiple districts and strengthen Assam’s long-term climate and biodiversity goals.

The plantation initiative complements ongoing efforts to address the Assam forest encroachment issue by restoring reclaimed land.

Agriculture Department Announces Horticulture Mission

Alongside forest conservation initiatives, the Assam government is also expanding its horticulture development programme.

Recently, Agriculture and Irrigation Minister Pijush Hazarika attended the Ceremonial Distribution of Seeds and Planting Materials organised by Assam Agricultural University at Kahikuchi in Kamrup district.

During the programme, the minister announced that the Agriculture Department has set a target of distributing one crore high-yielding horticulture saplings throughout the state.

The Assam forest encroachment initiative aims to encourage commercial farming, improve agricultural productivity, and generate employment opportunities in rural Assam.

Call for Youth to Choose Commercial Farming : Assam forest encroachment

Minister Pijush Hazarika also appealed to the state’s youth to consider agriculture as a viable career option.

He Assam forest encroachment encouraged young people to adopt commercial farming instead of migrating outside the state for low-paying jobs.

The minister urged aspiring farmers to embrace scientific agricultural practices and focus on solving practical challenges rather than attributing poor yields to unsupported claims such as mobile tower radiation or squirrel activity.

Officials believe increasing agricultural income can reduce pressure on forest land by creating sustainable livelihood opportunities.

Why Forest Encroachment Remains a Serious Challenge

The Assam forest encroachment issue has environmental, economic, and social implications.

Illegal occupation of forest land often results in:

Loss of biodiversity.
Habitat destruction for endangered wildlife.
Increased human-animal conflict.
Illegal logging activities.
Soil erosion.
Reduced carbon absorption.
Greater vulnerability to floods and climate change.

Assam is home to several globally important ecosystems, including habitats for rhinoceroses, elephants, tigers, hoolock gibbons, and numerous bird species.

Protecting these forests remains essential for maintaining ecological balance and supporting sustainable development.

Government Continues Multi-Pronged Conservation Strategy

The Assam government has adopted a comprehensive strategy that combines:

Eviction drives against illegal encroachments.
Large-scale afforestation.
Forest restoration projects.
Student participation in plantation campaigns.
Community awareness programmes.
Strengthened forest monitoring.

Officials believe that long-term success will depend on sustained enforcement, public cooperation, and responsible land management policies.

The latest figures presented in the Assam Legislative Assembly show that Assam forest encroachment continues to be a major environmental concern, with over 3.14 lakh hectares of protected forest land still under illegal occupation.

While the government has reclaimed nearly 17,000 hectares through extensive eviction drives over the last five years and launched ambitious plantation programmes to restore degraded forests, considerable work remains to secure Assam’s valuable natural resources.

The upcoming one crore sapling plantation campaign, combined with forest restoration initiatives and agricultural development programmes, reflects the state’s broader commitment to environmental conservation. Going forward, consistent enforcement, ecological restoration, and public participation will be crucial in ensuring that Assam’s forests remain protected for future generations.