Will Suklabaidya free these lands?

28,711 hectares RF land under encroachment in twin Kamrup

GUWAHATI, May 18: Will new Environment and Forest Minister Primal Suklabaidya free 28711.18 hectares of reserved forest (RV) land under encroachment in Kamrup (M) and Kamrup districts? His predecessor, however, did not try her hand at freeing these vast areas of forest land in the two districts.

According to statistics given by the State Forest Department, while there are 6738.9 hectares of reserved forest land still under encroachment in Kamrup(M), Kamrup district has 21972.28 hectares of such land under encroachment.

The reserved forest areas under encroachment in Kamrup (M) are 126 hectares at Gotanagar, 0.80 hectares at Sarania Pathar, 68 hectares at South Kalapahar, 220 hectares at Fatasil, 2.60 hectares at Jalukbari, 385 hectares at Hengrabari, 2210 hectares at Garbhanga, 297 hectares at Jorachal, 385 hectares at Kawasing, 113 hectares at Rani, 9.50 hectares at Maliwata, 2500 hectares at Afrikola (West), 400 hectares at Karakdola, six hectares at Matapahar and 16 hectares at Teteliguri.

Reserved forest areas under encroachment in Kamrup district are 1460.63 hectares in Barduar, 20 hectares at Mataikhar, 136.37 hectares at Mayang, 1169 hectares at Kulsi, 446.30 hectares at Milmilia, 673.90 hectares at Chhaygaon, 57.70 hectares at Kuhuksi Sikrabura, 15.16 hectares at Melaghat, 20.96 hectares at Dumpara, 13 hectares at Simla, 209.10 hectares at Gohaingurung, 9.93 hectares at Dudhkuri, 9.20 hectares at Dimali, 22 hectares at Ghoraputa, 11.62 hectares at Dhaniagaon, 1280.10 hectares at Moman, 617 hectares at Jarikhuri, 588 hectares at Luki, 267 hectares at Sursuria, 333 hectares at Taraibari, 209.10 hectares at Khatakhati Hill, 603.30 hectares at Mugakhal, 112.80 hectares at Garubaldha, 70.91 hectares at Khurkhuri, 900 hectares at Gizang, 890 hectares at Nampathar, 410 hectares at Borjuli, 450 hectares at Bordova, 106 hectares at Singra (Part-1), 433 hectares at Jaipur, 128 hectares at Khatajuli, 148 hectares at Singra (Part-II), 45 hectares at Mahipara, 4653.30 hectares at Bagaikhas, 5421 hectares at Pantan, 15 hectares at Sila Pahar, 0.50 hectare at Agiyathuri, one hectare at Dirgheswari, four hectares at Godhmow, two hectares at Boromboi, eight hectares at Sildar and 1.70 hectares at Sanpara.

All the reserved forest areas in these two districts categorized as Kamrup East Division, Kamrup West Division and North Kamrup Division come under the Central Assam Circle of the department.

The overall forest area in the State is 1736301.72 hectares, but 387885.45 hectares of this have been under encroachment. While 373876.95 hectares of the 1354467.62 hectares of reserved forest land, 3,971 hectares of the 197826 hectares of national park areas and 10037.50 hectares of 184008.10 hectares of wildlife sanctuary areas in the State are under encroachment.

The only answer from the department is that they conduct eviction drives with the help of the district administrations from to time. The department has also claimed that it has made many areas encroachment free in many divisions.