Forests must be protected to reduce man-animal conflict: Assam minister

Assam Forest Minister Jayanta Mallabaruah on Monday visited the Tharkonalbari and Rakhyasini Pahar Proposed Reserve Forests (PRFs) in Goalpara district to assess reports of encroachment on forest land and review measures for strengthening forest protection. The inspections followed recent eviction drives and the process of converting Proposed Reserve Forest land into Reserve Forest.

During the inspection, the Minister, accompanied by senior Forest Department officials and local MLAs, conducted an on-site assessment of the affected areas and interacted with local residents to understand the prevailing situation.

The team reviewed the extent of encroachment and discussed measures for safeguarding the forest and ensuring its long-term conservation.

Addressing the media, the Minister said that the visit was undertaken following reports indicating that a substantial portion of the forest land had been encroached upon. He noted that the field inspection confirmed the need for appropriate measures to protect and preserve the forest area.

“The legitimate rights of our indigenous people will be fully protected, and there should be no concern regarding their traditional rights. At the same time, encroachment on forest land by outsiders will not be allowed, as protecting our forests remains a priority,” Baruah said.

The Minister also highlighted the growing challenge of human-elephant conflict in Goalpara, stating that conservation of forest habitats is essential to addressing the issue. He emphasised that protecting existing forests, expanding forest cover and undertaking plantation activities would contribute significantly towards reducing human-elephant conflict in the region.

He said that the observations made during the inspection, along with feedback received from local residents, would be examined by the department. Based on the findings, the government will take appropriate decisions and initiate the necessary measures for the protection and conservation of the forest area.