NGT Slams Brakes on Assam’s Controversial Move: 1,600 Forest Guards Pulled Back from Poll Duty to Protect Biodiversity Hotspot

NGT Slams Brakes on Assam‘s Controversial Move: 1,600 Forest Guards Pulled Back from Poll Duty to Protect Biodiversity Hotspot

NGT Intervention Sparks Major Relief for Assam’s Endangered Wildlife Just Days Before April 9 Polls – Supreme Court Precedent Upheld-TONOY CHAKRABORTY

Guwahati/New Delhi, April 5, 2026 – In a decisive and timely order, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has stayed the Assam government’s directive to deploy around 1,600 personnel of the Assam Forest Protection Force (AFPF) for election duties, citing grave risks to the state’s rich biodiversity and violation of environmental laws.

The Eastern Zone Bench of the NGT invoked the precautionary principle on April 2 and ordered the state to immediately halt the March 19, 2026 directive issued by the Environment, Forest and Climate Change Department. The tribunal described the plea as raising “substantial questions relating to the environment” and fixed the next hearing for April 6 – just three days before Assam’s single-phase Assembly elections on April 9, 2026.

This is reportedly the first time forest protection personnel have been requisitioned on such a large scale for poll duty in the state, triggering strong opposition from conservationists and retired bureaucrats.

Why the NGT Stepped In: Legal Violations and Ecological Alarm

Delhi-based advocate Gaurav Kumar Bansal filed the application, arguing that diverting frontline forest staff would “severely compromise” protection of forests, wildlife, and ecological systems. The NGT noted that Assam’s forests demand constant vigilance, and any shortage of staff could escalate illegal activities like poaching.

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The tribunal specifically referenced the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, which obligates the state to ensure conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity. It also highlighted a May 15, 2024 Supreme Court order that explicitly directed forest staff and vehicles should not be requisitioned for election or non-forest purposes.

A powerful representation by over 40 retired IAS and IFS officers, including former Environment Secretary Meena Gupta and several former Principal Chief Conservators of Forests, had already flagged the order as “illegal” and contrary to Election Commission of India norms.

Assam’s Biodiversity at Stake: Home to the World’s Largest Rhino Population

Assam is one of India’s most ecologically sensitive states, boasting iconic protected areas like Kaziranga National Park – a UNESCO World Heritage Site that shelters over 2,600 greater one-horned rhinos, accounting for nearly two-thirds of the global population. Remarkably, not a single rhino was poached in Assam throughout 2025, a testament to the effectiveness of dedicated anti-poaching efforts.

Other highly vulnerable species that could face heightened risks include the endangered hoolock gibbon (India’s only ape), golden langur, critically endangered pygmy hog, wild elephants, and tigers.

• 1,600 AFPF personnel diverted for polls
• Kaziranga: ~2,600+ one-horned rhinos (≈70% of world population)
• Zero rhino poaching recorded in 2025
• Key species at risk: Hoolock Gibbon, Golden Langur, Pygmy Hog, Elephants & Tigers
• AFPF recently strengthened by 120% with 940 new inductees in 2024

The AFPF plays a critical role in round-the-clock patrolling, especially in vulnerable zones during the pre-monsoon period when wildlife movements intensify.

• March 19, 2026: Assam Govt issues order for 1,600 AFPF personnel for election duty
• March 28, 2026: Retired officers & conservationists urge withdrawal
• April 2, 2026: NGT stays the order, invokes precautionary principle
• April 6, 2026: Next NGT hearing
• April 9, 2026: Assam Assembly Polls (126 seats, single phase)
• May 4, 2026: Vote counting

Broader Implications

The NGT’s swift intervention underscores the judiciary’s firm stance on prioritising long-term environmental safeguards over short-term administrative needs. Conservationists have warned that the move could set a dangerous precedent in other biodiversity-rich states. No immediate comments were available from the Assam government or the Chief Electoral Officer following the NGT order.

As Assam prepares for polling, this development brings much-needed relief to wildlife protection efforts in one of the world’s most unique ecosystems. The outcome of the April 6 hearing will be closely watched for its impact on balancing democratic processes with ecological security.

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