Now Reading: Gauhati HC seeks Assam, Arunachal response on forest encroachments
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Gauhati HC seeks Assam, Arunachal response on forest encroachments
The Gauhati High Court has sought a response from the Assam and Arunachal Pradesh governments by 16 November regarding encroachments in reserve forests along their interstate border. The court issued the direction while hearing a public interest litigation filed by Amitabh Choudhury.
The petition raised concerns over alleged encroachment, deforestation and illegal construction in Behali and Singlijan Reserved Forests in Biswanath district, as well as forests in Sonitpur, Lakhimpur and Dhemaji districts. The petitioner estimated that about 6,733 hectares of Behali Reserve Forest and 450 hectares of Singlijan Reserve Forest have been encroached upon.
The court asked the state governments to file affidavits detailing steps taken to clear the encroachments. The petitioner argued that villages and permanent structures have come up inside forest areas, and that authorities were not using available powers to evict encroachers.
Indian Opinion Analysis
The Gauhati HC has set a firm deadline for two state governments to account for encroachments on protected forests along a contested border. The petitioner’s estimate of nearly 6,733 hectares encroached in Behali alone points to a scale that, if confirmed, would represent a significant failure of forest protection over years. The court’s direction forces both Assam and Arunachal Pradesh to show what action, if any, has actually been taken, closing any argument of legislative vacuum. The next step is the 16 November deadline for affidavits, which will reveal whether the states have a concrete removal plan or are relying on inaction.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
This brief was synthesised by AI from the source linked above. Methodology and corrections.
