Staff Reporter
Guwahati: No wonder that the forest and tree cover in Assam decreased by 83.92 sq km in just two years, between 2021 and 2023. It's a matter of even more concern that a total of 2,42,013 trees were felled in the past decade, i.e., from 2016 to 2026, in the name of development, at a time when climate change is posing an existential threat to humankind.
It can be discerned that climate change has gripped the state, along with the rest of the world, as the state recorded 23% less than normal rainfall in this monsoon season, until now. The accelerated loss of forest cover in Assam is believed to be one of the reasons for this abrupt change in the weather pattern in this part of the world. Climate change has also impacted the tea industry, and the situation is another major cause of concern, as Assam contributes more than 50% to the total tea produced in the country.
According to information available with The Sentinel, a total of 2,42,013 trees were felled in the past decade against forest diversion proposals approved under Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 1980, in the state. Various development projects related to forest diversion are permitted by the Government of India for different agencies under the Adhiniyam, 1980.
In the decade from 2016 to 2026, the highest number of 59,180 trees were felled in the Dhubri Forest Division, followed by Hamren Division with 50,383. The number of trees cut down in other forest divisions in the state is as follows: Sonitpur East 43,292, Golaghat 384, Dima Hasao West 29,579, Dibrugarh 25, Haltugaon 867, Kachugaon 26, Chirang 3,952, Nagaon South 4,472, Nagaon 153, Doomdooma 789, Sivasagar 536, Karbi Anglong West 319, Kamrup East 1,416, Dhemaji 2,009, Goalpara 18,852, North Kamrup 114, Digboi 1,897, Karimganj 1,816, Guwahati Wildlife 448, Lakhimpur 16, Cachar 1,663, Sonitpur West 248, Baksa 70, Aie Valley 5,461, Porbatjorha 41, Kamrup West 11,773, and Karbi Anglong East 2,232. The figures reveal that tree-felling has been more rampant in Lower and Middle Assam, along with the North Bank of the Brahmaputra and the hill district of Dima Hasao.
National highway projects are the primary cause of tree cutting in the state. There is a rule that, for each tree felled, 10 tree saplings have to be planted by the agency concerned. However, a question mark hangs over the survival rate of such saplings planted to compensate for trees cut down.
In light of the awful statistics on tree felling in the state, the central and state governments have to prioritise tree plantation to compensate for those cut down to pave the way for development projects. Only the restoration of tree cover can negate the effects of climate change to a certain degree.
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