Assam government announces forest expansion and educational infrastructure

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has announced several major initiatives focused on conservation, education, and social welfare. The state has expanded its protected forest network by 403.62 square kilometers since 2016, a move intended to strengthen wildlife habitats and connectivity, particularly within the Kaziranga landscape.

Regarding education, the government has allocated 574 bighas of land for the proposed Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Guwahati. To support the agricultural sector, the ‘Mukhyamantri Krishi Utk excellence Award’ will grant 1 lakh rupees each to 1,000 progressive and educated farmers, aiming to encourage youth to adopt modern farming as a career.

On administrative and social fronts, the state is introducing a new regulatory framework for mental health counseling centers and establishing a dedicated Youth Welfare Department. Additionally, the government is launching ‘Project Sadbhavana 2’ to clear over 300,000 pending government files using an e-file system.

Addressing environmental policy, Sarma defended the proposal to reduce the Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) around Kaziranga National Park from a default 10 kilometers to between 1 and 3 kilometers. He argued this adjustment, following Supreme Court guidelines, is necessary to protect the livelihoods and residential rights of local communities in areas like Bokakhat and Kaliabor.