Assam Forest Minister Jayanta Mallabaruah announced on Thursday that the state government will immediately restore forest cover in areas of Behali Wildlife Sanctuary where large-scale destruction of trees has been reported. The minister also warned of strict action against those responsible for the destruction.
Mallabaruah visited the sanctuary in Biswanath district and revealed that satellite imagery had shown a sizeable stretch of forest, which was densely covered with trees around six months ago, had since been cleared. He stated that senior officials from the Forest Department, Assam Police, and other agencies accompanied him during the inspection, and a detailed assessment of the damage would be carried out.
The minister emphasized that the government’s immediate priority is to restore the forest. He said that wherever trees have been destroyed, the government will undertake plantation drives without delay. Mallabaruah also asserted that the state government had no role in the destruction of forests and that the damage was caused by miscreants operating for personal gain.
Mallabaruah clarified that the inter-state boundary issue between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh should not be linked to forest destruction. He stated that the border dispute is a separate matter and is being addressed through the regional committee mechanism in accordance with the directions of the Gauhati High Court and the Supreme Court.
The minister reiterated that the government remains committed to protecting Assam’s forest resources and ensuring that those responsible for environmental damage are brought to justice. He emphasized that no one can justify felling trees in the name of a border dispute, and forests and trees must be protected.
