On 2 February 1978, the Itanagar Reserve Forest was designated as Itanagar Wildlife Sanctuary (IWS), taking the total number of wildlife sanctuaries in the state to eight.
The sanctuary is surrounded by several waterways: the Pachin River to the south, Neorochi (also known as Neorch) to the northeast, the Pam River (or Poma) to the east, and the Chingke (Senki) stream to the north.
The notification establishing the IWS was issued prior to the formation of Papum Pare district, which was created from the larger Subansiri district.
In 2020, the Youth Mission for Clean River (YMCR) requested the de-reservation of certain areas of the Itanagar Wildlife Sanctuary to facilitate human settlement, citing that the sanctuary is under threat from encroachments and urbanisation. YMCR chairman SD Loda emphasised the negative impact of urbanisation and settlement expansions on wildlife, particularly on the state's hornbill population, and criticised the government's inaction in protecting the sanctuary, which is a violation of the Forest Conservation Act, 1980.
In April 2025, RTI documents obtained by environmental activist SD Loda revealed that the sanctuary, spanning 140.8 square kilometres, exists largely in name only, with significant portions encroached upon by government and private entities. Key government buildings, including the Civil Secretariat (dedicated in 2018) and State Legislative Assembly (inaugurated in 2017), were constructed without mandatory environmental clearances under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
The documents further revealed that the Environment, Forest & Climate Change Department lacks data on compensatory afforestation and forest cover loss, and no assessments have been conducted on water resource degradation. The sanctuary, once home to 58 threatened species, has seen a dramatic decline in wildlife, particularly elephants. Legal experts note that the Itanagar Municipal Corporation and Assembly constituency within the IWLS are not legally sound.
The state government is compiling data for a Supreme Court interlocutory application, with Chief Minister Pema Khandu committing to rectify oversights. Activists, led by Loda, are calling for urgent action to halt destruction and enforce environmental laws, emphasising the need to protect the sanctuary’s biodiversity.
The documents reveal that since 1980, not a single permission or clearance has been granted for any construction within the sanctuary boundaries – yet massive construction has continued unabated. “No EIA reports were prepared for major constructions, and no compensatory afforestation was undertaken. Even more disturbing, there are NA (not available) entries for records of objections raised by the Wildlife Department regarding these illegal constructions, suggesting a complete abdication of responsibility by the very authorities tasked with protecting the sanctuary,” said Loda.
Wildlife census data from 2017, 2022 and 2023 indicate a decline in elephant sightings within the sanctuary, with most recent data showing almost no sightings of these once-thriving mammals. Activists urge immediate measures to protect the sanctuary and hold responsible parties accountable. The outcome of the Supreme Court proceedings could set a precedent for similar conflicts in India’s protected areas.
Meanwhile, Itanagar Capital Region Deputy Commissioner Talo Potom on 9 May 2025 announced the cancellation of all Land Possession Certificates (LPCs) issued for plots within the Itanagar Wildlife Sanctuary and Durpong Reserve Forest, based on a February 2022 order. This move, which affects thousands of landholders, requests the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests to treat these certificates as invalid and initiate legal action.
The decision has sparked a backlash from local residents, particularly members of the Aboriginal Tribal Inhabitant Villagers of the Itanagar Capital Region (ATIVICR), who argue that the move is arbitrary, threatens development, and fails to address longstanding land regularisation issues. They have threatened mass protests if the order is not reversed.
The ATIVICR, representing both urban and rural indigenous communities within the twin capital cities of Itanagar and Naharlagun, have submitted a formal petition to the Governor, Chief Minister, and Chief Secretary of Arunachal Pradesh recently, urging immediate intervention against a recent administrative order.
Demand/Contention of the Affected Community
Opposition against environmental degradation
Demand to retain/protect access to common land/resources
Demand for legal recognition of land rights
Other Demand/Contention of the Affected Community
1) De-reservation of Itanagar Wildlife Sanctuary 2) To halt the ongoing destruction of the sanctuary and restore its ecological integrity 3) Accountability 4) To enforce environmental laws, including conducting EIAs and compensatory afforestation 5) To restore Land Possession Certificates in Itanagar
Region Classification
Urban
Type of Land
Common
Forest
What was the action taken by the police?
How many people did the police detain or arrest?
What is the current status of the detained/accused persons?
Did the person face any violence while in police custody?
If any arrests took place, were the accused persons produced before a judge within 24 hours of the arrest?
If the accused was not produced before a magistrate within 24 hours, or not produced at all, what were the reasons?
Legislation under which the accused was charged
Was the accused person informed of their right to legal representation? Did the accused person have access to legal aid?
In cases where the accused person approached the court for bail, was bail granted?
Why was bail granted or rejected? If granted, what were the bail conditions and quantum of bail?
Details of sources (names of accused, names and numbers of any lawyers, names of any police officers contacted)
Status of Project
Original Project Deadline
Whether the Project has been Delayed
Significance of Land to Land Owners/Users
Water bodies, Government or community-regulated urban commons, Other environmental services
Whether the project was stalled due to land conflict
Source/Reference
Total investment involved (in Crores):
₹
Type of investment:
Year of Estimation
Has the Conflict Ended?
No
When did it end?
Why did the conflict end?
Categories of Legislations Involved in the Conflict
Legislations/Policies Involved
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Whether claims/objections were made as per procedure in the relevant statute
No
What was the claim(s)/objection(s) raised by the community?
What was the Decision of the Concerned Government Department?
Legal Processes and Loopholes Enabling the Conflict:
Violation of environmental laws
Non-consultation with stakeholders
Violation of free prior informed consent
Land record discrepancies
Legal Status:
Out of Court
Status of Case In Court
Whether any adjudicatory body was approached
Name of the adjudicatory body
Name(s) of the Court(s)
Case Number
Main Reasoning/Decision of court
Major Human Rights Violations Related to the Conflict:
Whether criminal law was used against protestors:
Reported Details of the Violation:
Date of Violation
Location of Violation
Government Departments Involved in the Conflict:
Environment, Forest & Climate Change Department, Land Management Department, Public Works Department (PWD), Arunachal Forest department
PSUs Involved in the Conflict:
Did LCW Approach Government Authorities for Comments?
Name, Designation and Comment of the Government Authorities Approached
Corporate Parties Involved in the Conflict:
Did LCW Approach Corporate Parties for Comments?
Communities/Local Organisations in the Conflict:
Youth Mission for Clean River (YMCR); Aboriginal Tribal Inhabitant Villagers of the Itanagar Capital Region (ATIVICR)
What was the action taken by the police?
How many people did the police detain or arrest?
What is the current status of the detained/accused persons?
Did the person face any violence while in police custody?
If any arrests took place, were the accused persons produced before a judge within 24 hours of the arrest?
If the accused was not produced before a magistrate within 24 hours, or not produced at all, what were the reasons?
Legislation under which the accused was charged
Was the accused person informed of their right to legal representation? Did the accused person have access to legal aid?
In cases where the accused person approached the court for bail, was bail granted?
Why was bail granted or rejected? If granted, what were the bail conditions and quantum of bail?
Were there any other notable irregularities that took place, or other significant details?
