The Government of Assam has constituted district-level committees to streamline the process of clearing encroachments from notified and reserved forest land across the state.
According to an official notification issued by the Environment, Forest and Climate Change Department, each committee will be headed by the respective District Commissioner, with the Divisional Forest Officer serving as member secretary. Other members include the Additional Deputy Commissioner (Revenue), the concerned Range Officer and the Circle Officer.
The government stated that the panels will follow a uniform procedure before any eviction. Alleged encroachers will be issued notices and given an opportunity to produce documents proving their legal rights over the land. Eviction action will proceed only after the committee confirms unauthorised occupation.
The notification further clarified that if the land in question is found to fall outside notified forest areas and within revenue jurisdiction, the matter will be referred to the Revenue Department for appropriate action. However, where encroachment on forest land is established, the committee will pass a speaking order and grant the occupant 15 days to vacate the land before eviction is carried out.
Officials said the move aims to codify and standardise eviction procedures across districts and ensure due process in line with mechanisms earlier placed before the Supreme Court.
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