Home / Environment / Assam CM Orders Probe into Illegal Stone Quarries
Assam CM Orders Probe into Illegal Stone Quarries
23 Oct
Summary
- Assam CM demands immediate suspension of DFO if illegal quarries confirmed.
- Two stone quarries found operating illegally in Hojai district.
- Govt to explore legal quarrying options while curbing illicit activities.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has called for the immediate suspension of the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) in Hojai if allegations of illegal stone quarrying are substantiated. He highlighted that two stone quarries are reportedly operating unlawfully in the Hojai district, emphasizing that such operations would likely involve the DFO's knowledge.
The Chief Minister directed the forest department to identify and take action against those involved in illegal quarrying. Simultaneously, the government intends to assess the feasibility of permitting legal quarrying in areas with available resources, provided all rules and procedures are followed. This approach aims to facilitate legal extraction wherever possible, not just shut down illegal operations.
Furthermore, the Chief Minister advocated for the implementation of technology-driven forest conservation methods, including satellite monitoring to detect and address illegal tree felling promptly. Preventing encroachments and curbing illegal mining are key government priorities, alongside expanding legal resource extraction.
Last month, the Union environment ministry's Forest Advisory Committee deferred a proposal for a stone quarry in Doboka Reserve Forest. The committee requested additional information from the state government regarding apparent continued mining operations, despite a National Green Tribunal order in August 2025 for the district commissioner to act against illegal stone mining. The committee sought a detailed examination of the mining operations, supported by a physical inspection.
