Illegal earth cutting near Deepor Beel wetland persists despite Gauhati High Court and Assam Forest Department bans

Key facts

• Residents of the Seventh Mile area allege that a group of middlemen and miscreants have been illegally excavating soil for over a month from the Kalshila wetland connected to Deepor Beel.
• The illegal excavation occurs mostly at night from around 8 pm, with dumpers transporting soil excavated using JCB machines to various locations for commercial gain.
• The Gauhati High Court and the Assam Forest Department have imposed prohibitory orders, yet the activity continues unabated on government land and wetlands.
• The wetland lies near the training school of the Assam Police Radio Organisation and the Assam Engineering College under the jurisdiction of Jalukbari Police Outpost.
• Locals warned that repeated excavation since 2021 during the dry season threatens the biodiversity of the Kalshila wetland and the sensitive ecological zone of Deepor Beel.
• The citizens have urged the Kamrup (Metro) district administration, city police, and forest authorities to conduct an immediate spot inquiry and take strict legal action against those involved.