Guwahati : Chief Minister Himanta Sarma met the top forest officers, including the DFOs (Divisional Forest Officers). Addressing the meeting, the Chief Minister said, "Since your appointment is in the Forest Department, you have to spend maximum time in forest areas to protect the forest cover, check encroachment of forest land, besides checking tree felling. Sitting tight in the headquarters won't serve the purpose. "I keep watch on your activities. 

How come vast forest areas have gone under encroachment in the presence of the state Forest Department? How come tree felling goes unabated when there is a department? In the past 10-15 years, you planted thousands of saplings. Where is the outcome? It makes amply clear that there are lapses in the department. "I give you six months. Running after sand, timber, and stone-laden trucks in Guwahati won't serve the purpose. Stop them at their sources. "The responsibility of DFOs is to safeguard forest lands and resources. To achieve that, you need to eliminate corrupt practices and maintain transparency. Ensure that from now no fresh encroachment takes place. "I will meet you again after six months to review your activities. Dedicate yourselves to the duty you have been assigned.

"You need not wait for the timber coming from Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh to check them. It's the duty of the forest officials of the two neighbouring states. We are contemplating winding up the forest check-gates at Jorabat, Khanapara, Jalukbari etc., on the National Highway." The forest cover in Assam is 28,327 sq km. However, 3.64 lakh hectares of them are under encroachment. The number of households in encroached forest lands is around 2.05 lakh.

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