Guwahati: More than 77150 hectares of forest land of Assam has been encroached by its bordering states, with Nagaland infringing on the highest 65682.63 hectares of forest land.
Informing this in the state Assembly today in response to a question, Assam Forest and Environment Minister Rockybul Hussain said an area of 8789 hectares of forest land has been encroached by Arunachal Pradesh, 1986 hectares by Mizoram, 675.14 hectares by Meghalaya and 25 hectares by Tripura.
On the steps taken by Assam government to reclaim the land, the minister said the state had approached the Supreme Court to settle its disputes with Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland.
The apex court has constituted a permanent commission, headed by justice (retd) CN Variyavar, to conduct hearings in the matter and settle it amicably.
In case of Meghalaya and Mizoram, talks at the level of the chief ministers were held several times and top officials of the states are in consultation to settle the disputes. (UNI)