The Assam government completed a major eviction drive in Burhachapori Wildlife Sanctuary, clearing alleged encroachment from around 6,200 bighas of forest land and affecting 710 families. The operation was carried out over two days in areas spread across Sonitpur and Nagaon districts. Officials said the drive aimed to remove illegal settlements and restore protected forest land inside the sanctuary.
Eviction Operation in Protected Area
The eviction began on 5 January and was completed on Tuesday evening. It covered several locations under the Tezpur Sadar and Dhekiajuli revenue circles, including Jamuktol, Arimari, Siyalichar, Baghetapu, Galatidubi, Lathimari, Kundulichar, Purba Dubramari and Batulichar. Officials said houses and crop fields had been set up inside the sanctuary by alleged encroachers.
Security and Administrative Action
The district administration deployed more than 300 police personnel to maintain order during the drive. Around 36 excavators and 60 tractors were used to remove structures and clear the land. Officials said the operation was completed without any untoward incident. Some residents had already dismantled their houses and moved belongings, while others requested more time to harvest crops.
Background of Burhachapori Sanctuary
Burhachapori Wildlife Sanctuary covers 44.06 sq km on the southern bank of the Brahmaputra. It forms part of the Laokhowa-Burhachapori ecosystem and acts as a notified buffer zone of Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve. The sanctuary supports species such as the one-horned rhinoceros, tiger, leopard, wild buffalo, hog deer, wild pig and elephants, along with birds like the Bengal florican and black-necked stork.
Previous Evictions and Conservation Concerns
This was not the first major clearance in the area. In February last year, authorities had removed encroachments from 2,099 hectares of land in the sanctuary and nearby villages. The region has seen repeated tensions over land use, conservation and resettlement. Burhachapori has been a reserve forest since 1974 and was declared a wildlife sanctuary in July 1995.
Last Modified: April 25, 2026