Guwahati, Jan 7: The Assam government on Tuesday завершed a two-day eviction drive at the Burhachapori Wildlife Sanctuary, clearing about 6,200 bighas (approximately 830 hectares) of encroached forest land and evicting 710 families, officials said.

Sonitpur District Commissioner Ananda Kumar Das said the operation began on January 5 and targeted illegal settlements in areas spanning Sonitpur and Nagaon districts. Officials stated that the land reclaimed lay within the protected boundaries of the sanctuary.

“The administration has recovered nearly 6,200 bighas of forest land from illegal occupation. The drive was completed without any major law and order issues,” Das said, adding that no exemptions were granted for encroachment on protected forest areas.

The eviction covered locations under the Tezpur Sadar and Dhekiajuli revenue circles, including Jamuktol, Arimari, Siyalichar, Baghetapu, Galatidubi, Lathimari, Kundulichar, Purba Dubramari and Batulichar. Officials said several structures had been erected and crops cultivated on the encroached land. While some families dismantled their houses and moved out voluntarily, others sought additional time to harvest crops due to the prevailing winter conditions.

Sonitpur Senior Superintendent of Police Barun Purakayastha said the operation was conducted smoothly with the deployment of over 300 personnel, supported by 36 excavators and 60 tractors.

The latest action follows a major eviction drive carried out in February 2025 in the Burhachapori sanctuary and adjoining areas, during which around 2,099 hectares of land were reclaimed, affecting about 12,800 people. In July, tensions were reported during an alleged re-encroachment attempt, when one person died and several others were injured in clashes with forest personnel.

Located on the southern bank of the Brahmaputra River, Burhachapori Wildlife Sanctuary covers an area of 44.06 square kilometres and lies about 40 km south of Tezpur and nearly 180 km east of Guwahati. Part of the Laokhowa-Burhachapori ecosystem, the sanctuary functions as a buffer zone for Kaziranga National Park. It was declared a reserve forest in 1974 and notified as a wildlife sanctuary in 1995, and is home to species such as rhinoceros, tiger, leopard, wild buffalo, elephant and several rare bird species, including the Bengal florican and black-necked stork.