Encroachment in Guwahati’s forest lands is not a new phenomenon. According to officials, people have been purchasing land within reserve forests illegally for decades, often without legal documentation
The green cover of Guwahati is shrinking rapidly as illegal encroachments continue to expand across the city's reserved forest areas. A total of 2,004.71 hectares of protected forest land in Guwahati has been encroached upon, according to official data from the Assam Forest Department. Despite repeated eviction drives and legal provisions in place, the struggle to reclaim these lands remains an uphill battle due to manpower shortages, strong resistance from settlers, and the presence of organised groups defending illegal occupations.
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Talking to GPlus, a senior official from the Assam Forest Department highlighted the increasing instances of human-wildlife conflict due to illegal encroachments.
"Because of these encroachments, many animals are forced out of their natural habitat. Leopards, elephants, and other wildlife are now frequently straying into human settlements, leading to dangerous encounters. The shrinking forest cover is leaving them with no choice but to come out in search of food and shelter," the official said.
He further added that deforestation and habitat destruction caused by illegal settlements are disrupting the balance of the ecosystem, making wildlife movement unpredictable and increasing risks for both humans and animals.
The Assam Forest Department confirmed to GPlus that Guwahati has a total 28,380.09 hectares of reserved forest area. However, a significant portion of this land has been illegally occupied, leading to environmental degradation, loss of biodiversity, and increased human-wildlife conflicts.
Among these, Fatasil, Hengrabari, and Gotanagar reserve forests have seen the highest levels of encroachment, accounting for hundreds of hectares being lost to unauthorised settlements.
The Eviction Challenge: Resistance and Violence
Eviction drives in these encroached areas are not new, yet they are fraught with difficulties. Speaking the Assam Forest Department official highlighted the challenges faced by the department in carrying out evictions.
"Now, even if someone tries to encroach, we are immediately informed, and we break them. But then, there are encroachers who attack our officials when we go to demolish structures because the land falls under the forest area," said the official.
A recent incident in Gotanagar Reserve Forest is an example of the growing hostility. Forest department officials, while attempting to clear encroachments, were allegedly attacked and vandalised by illegal settlers. With limited manpower, the department struggles to counter such aggression.
Encroachment in Guwahati’s forest lands is not a new phenomenon. According to officials, people have been purchasing land within reserve forests illegally for decades, often without legal documentation.
"Since years, many people have bought lands in these forest lands without official documents and illegally. There are people who purchased lands as far back as 1990, 1994, and so on. Now, many of them have settled there. Even if we try to evict them, it becomes difficult because of lack of manpower," the official said.
What makes the situation even more challenging is the presence of strong committees and local groups that defend these settlements. These groups often resist eviction operations and, in many cases, threaten or physically assault forest officials attempting to reclaim the land.
Legal Framework and Enforcement Gaps
Under the Indian Forest Act, 1927, and the Assam Forest Regulation, 1891, occupying or constructing structures on reserved forest land is illegal. Despite this, enforcement remains weak due to political interference, legal loopholes, and lack of resources.
Another forest official talking to GPlus said, "In many cases, encroachers file legal cases against eviction, further delaying action. Additionally, some political entities allegedly support these settlements, making enforcement even more complex."
Guwahati’s reserve forests are under severe threat from illegal encroachments, with over 2,000 hectares lost to unauthorised settlements. While the forest department has been making efforts to reclaim the land, resistance from settlers, lack of manpower, and legal hurdles continue to pose major challenges.
With increasing environmental degradation and human-wildlife conflicts, authorities must take urgent action to protect these forests. However, the solution must be multi-pronged, balancing conservation with humanitarian considerations for those living in these areas.
As the battle for Guwahati’s green spaces intensifies, one question remains—will the city’s forests survive, or will they be lost to unchecked encroachments?
