Leading citizens and residents of Guwahati on Tuesday protested the Assam Government’s decision to axe nearly 25 century-old trees to make way for a flyover.
Public Outrage in Guwahati
The trees are estimated to be over 200 years old, lining the historic Dighalipukhuri tank in Guwahati. It is a landmark and loved green space in the heart of the city that has incited public anger and outcry over environmental impact and preservation.
The new flyover, 5.05 km in length in Guwahati, is a four-lane project. And the estimated cost is to be around Rs 852.68 crore. After 2026, it would turn out to be the longest flyover in the city.
But with the flyover comes the fact that for ridding Guwahati of filth, the residents and activists claimed to have paid an ecological price. Many residents, activists, and known personalities took to the streets yesterday protesting the loss of those aged trees.
Joining the protest, Assam native Bollywood actor Adil Hussain condemned the approach taken by the government. “In the name of development, the first thing the authorities think of is felling trees,” he wrote in a Facebook post.
He shared a video clip of the protest and was filled with deep dismay over the fact that trees gracing Dighalipukhuri for over 150 years could be destroyed in mere minutes. “The bankruptcy in imagination in town planning is unfathomable. Please stop felling trees,” he urged, underlining the need for sustainable planning that respects Guwahati’s natural beauty.
In the meantime, citing the gravity of the situation CM Sarma in a X post (formerly known as Twitter) wrote, “I want to assure you that the government is deeply committed to preserving our city’s heritage and environment while advancing infrastructure. In constructing the flyovers from Dighalupukhuri to Noonmati, we are sincerely working to protect the old trees in the area. I urge all stakeholders to allow the Public Works Department a few days to explore an alternative proposal and assess its feasibility.”
I want to assure you that the government is deeply committed to preserving our city’s heritage and environment while advancing infrastructure. In constructing the flyovers from Dighalupukhuri to Noonmati, we are sincerely working to protect the old trees in the area. I urge all…
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) October 30, 2024
Senior Advocate Angshuman Bora, who joined the protest, announced that a petition had been filed with the Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court, urging the court to take suo motu cognizance of the matter.
“Who can think of cutting trees? “Did they conduct EIA and public hearing before cutting down trees?” Bora demanded, alleging that the trees around Dighalipukhuri were cut without EIA or public hearing as prescribed by law.
RTI retrieved by an activist report of Public Works Department showed it violated those without adhering to them. This move was widely seen to be violating the norms of the environment.
“The RTI clearly showed that the government has violated norms,” said author Tridib Borah, who participated in the protest. “From tonight, we will guard these trees every night so that they cannot be cut.
We will do it every night until the court decides,” declared Borah, expressing the protesters’ determination to protect the trees until legal intervention could be sought.
Public anger spilled into comments from Padma Shri awardee Ajay Dutta, who described the decision as “anti-human.” Dutta argued that any development project should benefit people without harming the environment.
“These beautiful trees, which house thousands of birds, cannot be felled due to the arrogance of one person,” he said, hinting at Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who also serves as the head of the PWD.
Dutta made it clear that the development projects should be people-friendly and eco-friendly. She also brought to the fore the devastations that could occur if such trees were to be removed, as is happening to Guwahati’s wildlife and air quality.
The Assamese poet Sankar Saikia criticized the government’s decision as “anti-people.” He warned the administration that real development must not be sacrificed for the benefit of nature, saying, “You cannot develop by destroying nature. We have to protect it from this anti-people government,” he declared fervently.
The people have not gone soft on cutting down these trees as the petition before the High Court continues unabated. But environmental groups and civic bodies, along with citizens, raise opposition against such an act while voicing for a sustainable solution, saving the historic trees.
This protest has further sparked debate over development vs environment preservation in Assam. There are calls for an integrated approach towards urban development by focusing on the people, in Assam.
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