Gauhati High Court Orders Eviction from Lutumari Reserve Forest

The Gauhati High Court has given settlers in Nagaon’s Lutumari Reserve Forest 30 days to vacate the area and make alternative arrangements. The court directed the administration to remove those who fail to leave within the deadline and instructed APDCL to disconnect electricity connections after 30 days.

The court ruled that the petitioners failed to prove their rights under the Forest Rights Act, 2006, stating that documents such as Aadhaar cards, voter IDs, electoral rolls, and electricity connections do not grant the right to reside in reserve forests.

Emphasizing environmental protection, the court said public interest in safeguarding forests and wildlife outweighs private claims. It also directed the Assam government to prevent non-forest use of cleared land and ensure reforestation of areas freed from encroachment.