The Assam government’s recent decision to incorporate 18 forest villages from the Sonai Rupai Wildlife Sanctuary into the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) has raised significant alarms among environmentalists. This action comes as the National Green Tribunal (NGT) continues to address issues related to extensive encroachments within the sanctuary.
The villages affected include Arlilaga, Satai, Sapai, Rowmari, Jhargaon, and Batachipur, all of which lie within the sanctuary’s protected area. The NGT has requested a detailed affidavit from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) regarding the ongoing encroachment issues within Sonai Rupai Wildlife Sanctuary. Currently, more than 50,241 hectares of forest land within protected areas, including Sonai Rupai, face encroachment. It’s estimated that around 300,000 individuals have constructed permanent homes and established commercial plantations within these regions.
In response, the MoEFCC clarified that no forest clearance has been sought for non-forestry activities in the sanctuary, underscoring the necessity for prior approval from the Central Government.
Environmental activist Dilip Nath openly opposes the inclusion of these forest villages in the BTR, stating that it effectively legitimizes the encroachments in the Wildlife Sanctuary. “These villages are encroachments within the Wildlife Sanctuary. Including them in the BTC effectively legitimizes those encroachments, which is inappropriate,” he asserted.
The timing of this inclusion, ahead of the BTC elections set for September, has further fueled concerns that political motivations may be prioritized over environmental integrity. The NGT’s Eastern Zone Bench has instructed the MoEFCC to respond to claims made by the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) and clarify the government’s position regarding the longstanding encroachment of legally protected forest land.
Original Source: https://www.guwahatiplus.com/assam/assams-controversial-move-18-forest-villages-added-to-btr-amid-ngt-scrutiny
Category: Assam
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Publish Date: 2025-06-27 21:45:00
