Guwahati, September 8, 2026 — The Assam government has cleared the diversion of more than 239 hectares of forest land for 39 infrastructure and energy projects spread across 22 reserve forests in the state, following final approval from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).
The approved proposals encompass a wide range of developmental activities, including oil and gas exploration and drilling, construction of transmission lines, laying of natural gas pipelines, road projects, telecommunications infrastructure, power distribution works and the establishment of police commando battalion camps.
One of the major clearances involves the diversion of 7.12 hectares of forest land in Amchang Wildlife Sanctuary under the Guwahati Wildlife Division. This land will be used for the construction of the Guwahati Ring Road, including a bridge over the Brahmaputra and the widening of National Highway-27 from Basistha to Jorabat.
Another significant approval relates to 9.23 hectares in the Borail Wildlife Sanctuary (East Block) in Cachar Division for 11 tower locations of the 132 kV Haflong–Jiribam transmission line. The government has also green-lit forest diversion for two 400 kV transmission lines that will connect NHPC’s 2,000 MW Lower Subansiri Hydroelectric Project at Gerukamukh to Biswanath Chariali.
Officials said the clearances were granted after the projects met the mandatory conditions under the Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, including compensatory afforestation and other environmental safeguards. The state forest department will monitor compliance to ensure that the ecological impact is minimised.
The decision comes amid ongoing debates in the Northeast over the balance between development needs and forest conservation. Assam has seen several rounds of forest land diversion in recent years for infrastructure and energy projects, reflecting the state’s push for improved connectivity, power evacuation and industrial growth.
Authorities emphasised that the projects are expected to boost economic activity, improve road and power infrastructure, and support the state’s energy security goals while adhering to central environmental guidelines.