Eviction Drive Clears Encroached Land at Burhachapori WLS in Sonitpur

A large-scale eviction drive began on Monday to clear encroached Compensatory Afforestation land under the Burhachapori Wildlife Sanctuary in Sonitpur district. The operation, led by the district administration and forest department, targeted about 6,200 bighas across Tezpur, Thelamara and Dhekiajuli revenue circles.

Officials said around 710 households were identified as encroachers despite prior notices and a month-long deadline. Nearly 20 excavators, 100 labourers and 500 police personnel were deployed, and the eviction was conducted peacefully under the supervision of the Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police.

The drive follows earlier anti-encroachment actions in the sanctuary, which lies on the Brahmaputra’s southern bank and forms a key ecological corridor alongside Kaziranga National Park, Orang National Park, Pabitora Wildlife Sanctuary, and Pakke–Nameri National Park.