The Goalpara district administration, in collaboration with the Forest Department, conducted a major eviction drive to clear illegal encroachments from the Dahikata Reserved Forest — a crucial step towards restoring ecological balance and safeguarding the Sri Sri Surya Pahar heritage landscape.

Key Highlights of the Eviction Drive:

• Area Cleared: Around 1,140 bighas (≈153 hectares) of forest land under Matia Revenue Circle were freed from encroachment.
• Encroachments Removed: Authorities evicted 588 families, four mosques, and over 20 commercial structures in the Sonapur area.
• Execution: The drive began at 5:30 a.m., with 40 excavators and heavy security deployment.
• Voluntary Vacating: About 70% of settlers vacated after prior notice.

Ecological and Cultural Significance:

• The reclaimed forest is part of the Sri Surya Pahar Mahapeeth, a sacred heritage site spread over 2,552 bighas, now declared completely free of encroachment.
• Dahikata Reserved Forest once served as a vital elephant habitat; rampant encroachment had caused severe human-elephant conflicts in nearby areas like Mornoi, Matia, and Lalabori.
• The forest is being fenced and reforested to reconnect elephant corridors and restore biodiversity.
• The administration plans to rehabilitate genuinely landless families under government welfare schemes.

Exam Hook – Prelims Question:

The Dahikata Reserved Forest in Assam, recently in the news, is ecologically significant because:
(a) It is a vital elephant habitat connected to the Sri Surya Pahar heritage site.
(b) It is home to the state’s largest wetland ecosystem.
(c) It is Assam’s first community reserve.
(d) It is a proposed wildlife sanctuary-designated site of Assam.

Answer: (a)

One-line Wrap:

In Goalpara, the forest breathes again — the Dahikata Reserve reclaims its green soul, returning land from human hands to nature’s guardians, the elephants.