Says 2 Quarries Operating Illegally CurrentlyGuwahati: Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday called for the immediate suspension of the divisional forest officer (DFO) if allegations of illegal stone quarrying in Hojai are found to be true.Sarma said two stone quarries were allegedly operating illegally in Hojai currently.“If what I am saying is true, the DFO should be suspended immediately. Such activities cannot take place without the DFO’s knowledge. If the CM knows about it, why should the DFO not know?” he added.He directed the forest department to identify those operating the quarries and take appropriate action. However, he said the govt should also examine the possibility of permitting quarrying legally in areas with available resources, subject to applicable rules and procedures.“The objective should not be limited to shutting down illegal quarries but also to facilitate legal extraction wherever feasible,” he said.Sarma called for technology-based forest conservation, including satellite monitoring to detect tree felling and enable prompt action.He said the govt’s priorities should include preventing and removing encroachments, curbing illegal quarrying and mining, and expanding legal resource extraction wherever possible.Last month, the Forest Advisory Committee of the Union environment ministry deferred a proposal seeking prior approval for a stone quarry in Doboka Reserve Forest under the Nagaon Division in Hojai district. It sought additional information from the state govt, including a comprehensive report on the apparent continuation of mining operations, the factual position and action taken.At its Sept 17 meeting, the committee said mining appeared to have continued despite the National Green Tribunal’s directions in Aug 2025 to the district commissioner to act against illegal stone mining.The NGT directed continued vigilance, strict enforcement against illegal mining and scientific mining practices, where permitted, in accordance with the approved mining plan. It further required safeguards and fresh environmental clearance after forest clearance.The committee said the “apparent continuation of mining operations in the area warrants detailed examination” and sought a comprehensive report supported by a physical inspection by the concerned regional office.The proposal involved diverting 5.11 hectares of reserve forest for the stone quarry, Bheleuguri Stone Mahal, in favour of Kamal Ahmed. The area is part of the Kaziranga-Karbi Anglong Elephant Reserve.
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