Guwahati, July 31 -- The Gauhati High Court on Thursday directed that no further encroachment be allowed to take place in the Manas National Park and Tiger Reserve, while hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) that has flagged large-scale unauthorized occupation of land within the protected area.

A division bench of Chief Justice Ashutosh Kumar and Justice Arun Dev Choudhury was hearing the PIL filed by environmental activist Rohit Choudhury, a resident of Bokakhat in Golaghat district, against the Assam government, the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC), and other authorities.

Appearing for the petitioner, advocate Abir Phukan told the court that extensive encroachments have taken place within the National Park, particularly in the...