Assam government has officially granted legal land ownership to 2,145 tribal families in Biswanath district under the provisions of the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006.The certificates were handed over on Monday, July 28, by Assam’s Minister of Health, Family Welfare, and Irrigation, Ashok Singhal, during a ceremonial distribution program. Families from four different revenue circles — Biswanath, Gohpur, Naduar, and Bihali — were beneficiaries of this initiative. With this latest distribution, the district has now issued close to 12,000 land titles to indigenous households. Speaking at the event, Minister Singhal emphasized the Assam government’s commitment to the rights of indigenous communities who have lived in the forests for generations. “For decades, these families were unfairly called encroachers. But today, under the visionary leadership of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, we have restored their dignity. From now on, they are rightful landowners,” Singhal stated to loud applause from the crowd.
The breakdown of the land title distribution is as follows: 1,336 families in Biswanath, 157 in Gohpur, 509 in Naduar, and 143 in Bihali. These families, who have long depended on the forest for sustenance and shelter, will now be able to access housing schemes, healthcare benefits, and other welfare programs that require proof of land ownership.Singhal underlined how the lack of land documents had previously excluded these communities from the social safety net. “Now, with legal documentation in hand, these families will enjoy the same rights and benefits as any other citizen of the state,” he added.Drawing attention to the deep spiritual and ecological bond that tribal communities share with nature, Singhal said, “These are the people who have worshipped trees, rivers, and forests for centuries. They are not outsiders — they are the true guardians of our natural heritage.”In a poignant moment, the minister also highlighted the often-overlooked history of tribal rule in Assam. He spoke about the ancient Ban dynasty in the undivided Sonitpur region, which was once ruled by a Bodo king — a reflection, he said, of the enduring legacy of tribal leadership and culture in the region.
The event drew participation from key political leaders and officials, including MLAs Pramod Borthakur, Utpal Bora, and Diganta Ghatowar, along with Zilla Parishad Chairperson Sunita Tanty. Top administrative officials such as Deputy Commissioners Dhruvajyoti Das and Lukumani Bora, SP Shubhashish Barua, and senior revenue officers were also present.Observers say the move is likely to have a far-reaching impact, especially as forest rights remain a contentious issue across various states. Activists and tribal rights groups have welcomed the initiative, calling it a bold and overdue step toward justice.