Digboi: A sudden and alarming fire broke out on Saturday afternoon in a government reserve forest along the bank of the Dibru River at Assam’s Nazirating tourist destination, exposing what environmentalists describe as administrative failure and institutional apathy on the part of the forest authorities.
The affected location falls under the Nazirating Beat of the Doomdooma Range, within the Doomdooma Forest Division, and is part of the proposed Upper Dehing Reserve Forest (East Block), an ecologically sensitive zone under heightened protection.
Thick smoke and flames engulfed a large stretch of the forest, causing widespread damage. Sources alleged that the fire was not accidental and could be the work of encroachers or vested interest groups operating in the resource-rich zone, allegedly attempting to clear forest land to expand mineral extraction activities.
Eyewitnesses and observers have criticized the Doomdooma Forest Division for inaction, noting that the Nazirating Forest Beat Office is located just a few metres across the river from the affected site. Despite the fire spreading rapidly, eyewitnesses alleged that forest personnel failed to respond in time, allowing the flames to penetrate deep into the reserve forest.
Students and teachers from Digboi Sower Vidyapeeth, along with local wildlife activist Faruk Ali, were visiting the area for idol immersion when they observed unusual fire activity accompanied by loud noises. Nearly 20 students and teachers reportedly panicked at the Dibru Nazirating tourist hotspot as the fire intensified.
Eyewitness Faruk Ali alleged blatant negligence on the part of forest staff. “I immediately asked the forest staff to douse the fire,” Ali said. “Instead of acting, they questioned how they could identify who started it. Their priority appeared to be evading responsibility rather than protecting the forest.”
Environmental observers warned that such a delayed response could have severe consequences. The fire reportedly caused extensive damage and was spreading swiftly into the interior forest, threatening biodiversity, wildlife habitats, and the fragile ecology of the Dibru riverbank.
Digboi-based wildlife activist Devajit Moran criticized the Doomdooma Forest Division, holding the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) responsible for what he described as repeated administrative failures. Moran alleged that the division has long been plagued by incompetence and corruption, enabling illegal activities and weakening forest protection mechanisms.
“This is not an isolated incident but a symptom of systemic rot,” Moran said, demanding that the Chief Minister of Assam take strong cognisance of the matter, order a high-level inquiry, and ensure accountability within the Doomdooma Forest Division.
Locals said that despite the seriousness of the incident and mounting public concern, the forest department has so far not issued any official clarification regarding the cause of the fire, the extent of damage, or any remedial or disciplinary action, further raising questions over transparency and governance in the division.