Written by: Novanita Sharma
As India awaits the outcome of the 2026 Assembly elections in Assam, West Bengal, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Puducherry, the election-bound atmosphere has infused an unusual festive mood in Assam over the past few days.
The state is set to witness a single-phase Legislative Assembly election on 9 April 2026. High-voltage campaigning and a deluge of media coverage have captured public attention, focusing not only on candidates and political parties but, most importantly, on the election manifestos shaping this democratic process.
In a state like Assam-often regarded as the gateway to India's green wealth-the political discourse frequently falls short of meeting voter expectations when manifestos fail to outline concrete action plans for ecological safety, forest protection, and biodiversity conservation. Assam forms part of the global network of biodiversity hotspots and is an indispensable component of India's rich repository of flora, fauna, and natural ecosystems. However, these resources continue to face serious threats due to anthropogenic pressures and other ecological challenges.
Political leaders in Assam are expected to step into the role of environmental stewards, paving the path for sustainable development through a firm commitment to preserving forests, wetlands, and wildlife. The state's natural resources-including forests, wetlands, and biodiversity-are invaluable assets that require strong and visionary leadership to ensure Assam's long-term progress.
The incumbent government under Himanta Biswa Sarma has presented an optimistic vision of green governance in recent years. Significant tracts of pristine forests have been upgraded to protected areas, including Dihing Patkai National Park, Raimona National Park, and Sikhna Jwhwlao National Park. Proposed wildlife sanctuaries such as Poba, Ajagar, and Pancharatna further reflect a positive political will towards biodiversity conservation.
Additionally, the widely debated eviction drives of 2025-aimed at reclaiming forest land, grazing areas, and wetlands from illegal encroachments-were seen by many as a long-awaited intervention. These measures attempted to address a decades-old issue of encroachment that has contributed to the degradation of Assam's forests, wetlands, and grasslands.
It is important to remember that Assam has lost the largest area of forest cover among northeastern states due to encroachments since Independence. As of March 2024, approximately 3,620.9 sq km of forest land was under encroachment. This makes forest loss and biodiversity threats the most pressing environmental challenges facing the state today. With a recorded forest area of 26,832 sq km-about 34.21% of its geographical area-Assam stands at a critical juncture in terms of conservation.
Therefore, voters in Assam must act as responsible and informed participants in democracy, choosing leadership that prioritises environmental protection. Issues such as biodiversity conservation, forest preservation, and wildlife protection must take centre stage in political agendas.
Leaders like Ranoj Pegu have demonstrated how governance can support environmental consciousness. His initiatives to promote ecological awareness among students-such as distributing nature-based literature across government schools-have contributed to nurturing a culture of conservation. Community-driven initiatives like the Dulung Subansiri Prakriti Mahotsav and Poba Barxaranya Prakriti Mahotsav have further strengthened grassroots engagement.
The Bharatiya Janata Party's manifesto for the 2026 Assam elections, titled Sankalpa Patra, released on 31 March 2026 in Guwahati, presents a notable focus on environmental commitments. It outlines measures such as the implementation of 'Axom Bon Niti 2.0' for forest conservation, reforestation, and biodiversity protection. It also addresses the restoration of fragmented wildlife habitats and mitigation of human-elephant conflict.
This emphasis reflects the socio-political impact of Assam's long-standing biodiversity conservation movement, driven by civil society and organisations like Nature's Beckon. It signals a growing alignment between political priorities and public sentiment on environmental issues.
The Sankalpa Patra offers hope, particularly in its commitment to biodiversity conservation and habitat restoration, indicating a rising environmental consciousness in contemporary electoral politics. In Assam, conservation is not merely a policy issue-it is a people's movement. Protecting forests and biodiversity remains crucial for the future of coming generations.
Civil society organisations like Pragya have echoed this sentiment, urging voters to prioritise environmental concerns while electing their representatives. Their appeal highlights the need to recognise nature conservation as a central political issue in the 2026 Assembly elections.
In a global context where environmental issues are often framed within ideological divides, Assam's electoral discourse presents a different narrative. While several political parties have not sufficiently addressed environmental concerns in their manifestos, the inclusion of such issues in mainstream political dialogue marks an important shift.
Environmental activist Soumyadeep Datta of Nature's Beckon observed that despite Assam's long history of conservation movements, only limited political attention has been given to these issues. He welcomed the growing recognition while expressing hope that all parties will accord due importance to environmental concerns.
The people of Assam-from all age groups and socio-economic backgrounds-have played a pivotal role in protecting rainforests, combating rhino poaching, and preserving habitats such as those of the golden langur in western Assam. Their collective efforts underline the importance of aligning electoral choices with environmental priorities.
As voters head to the polls, it is imperative to critically examine party manifestos and assess candidates' commitments to conservation. Let Assam vote as an environmentally conscious and empowered electorate-choosing leaders dedicated to safeguarding its forests, biodiversity, and ecological future while ensuring sustainable growth and development.
Novanita Sharma is an environmental activist from Assam associated with Nature's Beckon and can be contacted at: [email protected]