Staff reporter
Guwahati: In the wake of growing concerns over large-scale tree felling in the name of urban development, renowned Bengaluru-based environmentalist Dattatreya T Devare issued a strong appeal to city planners and policymakers in Guwahati on Sunday, urging them to treat tree translocation as a last resort, not a default solution.
Speaking at a public lecture at the Pragjyotish Cultural Complex in Machkhowa, Devare, who has been working on urban tree protection and sustainable development since 2007, called for development strategies that do not sacrifice ecological integrity. “Trees must not be the first casualty in planning,” he said, referring to the recent controversy over the cutting and translocation of heritage trees in the Dighalipukhuri-Ambari area for a new flyover.
He lauded Guwahati residents for voicing their opposition to the move and emphasized that translocation, even when considered, must be done with “utmost care and clarity.” Other speakers at the event criticized the lack of transparency in urban projects and warned of the long-term consequences of ecological negligence. “This is not just about a few trees. This is about the future of our cities,” said one speaker, noting similar patterns of environmental disregard in developing countries.
Comparisons were drawn with climate-resilient urban planning practices in developed nations, where nature-based solutions are increasingly being adopted. In contrast, speakers warned that states like Assam continue to suffer from rapid forest degradation and unchecked urban tree loss.
The event concluded with a collective demand for stronger environmental laws, better urban planning, and greater civic participation to ensure infrastructure development does not come at the cost of ecological collapse. Organizers also announced future dialogues involving environmental experts, urban planners, and civil society to forge a sustainable roadmap for Guwahati’s urban growth.
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