The Assam government, under Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, has successfully recovered 660 hectares of encroached land in Sribhumi Reserved Forest in just two days, with an additional 220 hectares awaiting clearance. Sarma highlighted the ongoing anti-encroachment efforts to restore forest lands and government property that had been unlawfully occupied. This initiative, a key focus of his administration, aims to liberate all encroached land, with a major eviction drive currently underway in Sribhumi district’s Patharkandi sector.
Authorities have served eviction notices to over 2,000 families and mobilized heavy machinery and security personnel to dismantle both permanent and temporary structures within the reserved forest area. While a significant portion of the targeted land has been vacated, the clearance of remaining settlements is progressing steadily. This operation is part of a broader crackdown by the Assam government in various districts to eliminate illegal encroachments on forest and government lands.
Since mid-2025, eviction operations have been conducted in regions like Golaghat’s Uriamghat, Dhubri, and Hailakandi, resulting in the reclamation of thousands of hectares and the displacement of numerous settlers. Despite the government’s stance that these actions are crucial for safeguarding public land and preventing unauthorized occupation, some eviction drives have faced criticism from civil society groups. These groups have raised concerns regarding the rehabilitation and humanitarian impacts on affected families. The ongoing Sribhumi operation is set to continue in phases until the remaining 220 hectares are cleared, demonstrating the government’s commitment to upholding the rule of law and protecting Assam’s natural resources.
