Guwahati: It’s not translocation, it’s systematic destruction, says protester on tree felling

Staff reporter

Guwahati: A group of prominent citizens and civil society activists raised strong objections on Sunday to the ongoing tree felling and relocation activities in the Dighalipukhuri–Ambari area of Guwahati, alleging environmental damage and lack of transparency in the restoration process.

At a press meet organized to voice their concerns, well-known personalities, including Hiren Gohain, Manorama Sharma, Dinesh Ch. Goswami, Apurba Kr Baruah, and Shantanu Borthakur condemned the removal of trees without public consultation or adequate planning.

Addressing the media, noted intellectual Hiren Gohain said,“The recent tree felling and relocation around the Dighalipukhuri–Ambari area is a serious concern. Trees are being removed and shifted without public consultation. There are plans to build a concrete wall in the area, which is completely unnecessary and wrong.”

Echoing similar sentiments, Manorama Sharma criticized the implementation of the project. He said, “There has been a clear lack of coordination between the authorities and the public during the restoration process. The project appears flawed and is causing considerable environmental damage. Ultimately, it is the common people who are being most affected.”

Shantanu Borthakur went further alleging ,“No proper prior notice was given, nor was a detailed survey conducted before removing the trees. Many of these trees are decades old. The student protesters who staged a peaceful demonstration were stopped by the authorities — which is unconstitutional.”

The protest comes amid widening concerns over the shrinking green cover in Guwahati due to unchecked urban development and infrastructure projects. Activists argue that the Dighalipukhuri area, a historic and cultural landmark in the city, should be preserved with minimal ecological disturbance.

However, nearly six months later, not only has tree felling resumed—albeit under the guise of “translocation”—but many of these activities are reportedly being carried out at night, away from public view.

Environmental activists argue that the government’s translocation claims are misleading and scientifically questionable. Citing a report by the Wildlife Institute of India, citizens highlighted that the survival rate of translocated trees in India is alarmingly low—less than 10%—with some states recording rates as low as 1.7%. No such scientific study or expert protocol appears to have been followed in Assam’s case, making the success of translocation highly doubtful.

“This is not translocation—it is systematic destruction,” said one protester, adding that Dighalipukhuri is not just an ecological zone but a cultural landmark deserving preservation.

No official response has yet been issued by the concerned departments regarding the allegations. However, environmentalists and local residents have called for an immediate halt to the tree felling and demanded that any development work in the area be carried out only after public consultation and scientific environmental assessment.

Also Read: Guwahati: Protest over Translocation of Trees at Dighalipukhuri

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