Agartala, 27th August 2026 : More than 1,000 hectares of forest land have reportedly come under illegal occupation in different parts of Tripura over the past three years, according to data placed by the Forest Department before the state Assembly.
The department said it has initiated a range of measures to reclaim encroached forest land and prevent further illegal occupation. These include field inspections, registration of cases, issuance of show-cause notices and eviction orders, as well as efforts to convince encroachers to vacate forest land voluntarily.
The division-wise data presented in the Assembly, however, appears to contain discrepancies and may require verification with the original government records.
In Sepahijala Forest Division, 37 cases have been registered over illegal cultivation and encroachment. Authorities have issued 28 eviction notices and five show-cause notices, while three offence reports have also been filed. Eviction drives have so far resulted in the recovery of two hectares of forest land.
Khowai Forest Division has issued 332 show-cause notices, with hearings completed in 78 cases. In South Forest Division, 216 eviction notices and an equal number of show-cause notices have been issued.
In Gomati Forest Division, the department has registered five cases and issued 210 eviction notices and 210 show-cause notices. Additionally, 34 show-cause notices have been served in the Gomati Wildlife Sanctuary.
According to the Forest Department, officials conduct immediate inspections whenever reports of encroachment are received and initiate legal proceedings wherever violations are established. Regular patrols and surveillance are also being carried out to prevent fresh encroachment.
The department has further strengthened its Forest Protection Unit by providing vehicles, computers, arms and ammunition and improving arrangements for regular field patrols.
Officials said sustained surveillance, legal proceedings and eviction operations will continue to be the main strategies for reclaiming forest land and protecting Tripura’s forest resources from further encroachment.
