In a significant effort to maintain the demographic integrity and ecological balance of Guwahati, the government of Assam has launched a thorough survey aimed at identifying “non-indigenous” individuals living illegally on forest land surrounding the city. Guwahati hosts 12 reserve forests, primarily in hilly regions, covering a total area of 28,380 hectares. Recent reports indicate that approximately 4,107 hectares of forest land are currently under unlawful encroachment. The ongoing survey primarily targets these areas, as officials assert that substantial sections have been occupied unlawfully by settlers, disrupting both the city’s social dynamics and environmental sustainability.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has made it clear that the survey is focused exclusively on non-indigenous residents on forest land, whom the government claims are undermining the demographic balance of the state. Sarma emphasized that this initiative is not about religious or ethnic distinctions but is aimed solely at verifying whether these settlers qualify under a three-generation residency requirement established by the Forest Rights Act. “This is not about religion or ethnicity; it is about protecting Assam’s indigenous population from the demographic distortions caused by illegal encroachments,” Sarma stated. He reiterated that the survey would confirm whether these individuals have been living on the land for three generations.
Additionally, the Chief Minister assured that indigenous people will receive land documentation under the third version of the ‘Basundhara’ scheme and clarified that there are no intentions to evict them. The survey focuses strictly on forest land rather than revenue land. A crucial factor will be verifying if residents have inhabited the land for three generations or approximately 75 years. This criterion is rooted in the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights Act) 2006, which safeguards the rights of both Scheduled Tribes and other traditional forest dwellers.
Officials noted that while many Scheduled Tribe communities have traditionally inhabited the hills of Guwahati, a considerable number of non-Scheduled Tribe settlers have also moved into these forested areas. This group is largely comprised of non-indigenous migrants who are classified as single-generation settlers. The government stated that Assam’s indigenous communities have suffered from unregulated illegal occupation for years, with outsiders allegedly altering population dynamics and exploiting forest resources, which leads to environmental degradation and social discord. This survey represents a clear response from the state, signaling a commitment to preventing demographic manipulation and land-grabbing practices.
Original Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/survey-for-non-indegenous-people-residing-on-forest-land-in-guwahati/articleshow/123028467.cms
Category:
Tags:
Publish Date: 2025-08-01 00:01:00
