Over 22 percent forest areas in Assam under encroachment: Govt
Guwahati, Mar 15 (IBNS): The Assam government on Thursday informed the Assam Legislative Assembly that, over 22 percent of the total forest areas in Assam are under encroachment.
Replying a written query raised by Asom Gana Parishad MLA Ramendra Narayan Kalita, Assam forest minister Pramila Rani Brahma said that, 3,87,885 hectare areas of the total forest areas in state are under encroachment.
Out of the total 17,36,301.72 hectare forest areas, over 22.33 percent areas were encroached.
The Assam forest minister said that, the state has covered 13,54,467.62 hectare Reserve forest areas, 1,97,826 hectare areas in 5 National Parks and 1,84,008.10 hectare areas in 18 Wildlife Sanctuaries.
“Out of these, 3,73,876.95 hectares of Reserve forest areas, 3,971 hectares National Park areas and 10,037.50 hectares Wildlife Sanctuary areas are under encroachment,” Pramila Rani Brahma said.
The government data revealed that, 12,190.83 hectares areas were encroached in 11 Reserve forest in Karbi Anglong and West Karbi Anglong districts.
According to the state government data, 3355.46 hectares encroached in Selabor reserve forest in the hill district while 3339 hectares encroached in Rongkhang reserve forest, 1708.32 hectares in Amreng reserve forest, 1263 hectares in Dhansiri reserve forest, 1235 hectares in Jokota reserve forest.
The Assam forest minister informed the house that, the forest department has taken initiative to evict illegal encroachers.
On the other hand, the Assam government has admitted that, illegal coal mining is going on in Karbi Anglong district.
Replying an another written query raised by BJP MLA of Bokajan constituency Dr Numol Momin, the Assam forest minister said that, the state Home and Political department has recently sent a letter to the Special Director General of Police (CID) and ordered to probe against the coal syndicate.
In the letter no HMA-19015/7/2018-POLITICAL (A)/((eCF No.58416)/4, the state Home and Political department said that, the Mines and Minerals department has already issued instructions to the Superintendent of Police (SP) of Tinsukia, Dibrugarh, Sivasagar, Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao districts to take stern action against the illegal coal mining activities.
The Assam forest minister said that, her department has taken all measures to stop illegal coal mining in the state.
(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)
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