Assam: Tangla senior citizens justify tree-cutting decision in state

A Correspondent

TANGLA: In response to reports alleging deforestation in the under-construction Tangla Children’s Park, the Tangla Senior Citizens Sanmilan and Children’s Park Committee held a press conference at the Tangla Sahitya Sabha office in Tangla town of Udalguri district on Sunday to clarify the matter. Addressing the media, President of Tangla Senior Citizens Sanmilan; Rabindra Kumar Sarma and President of the Children’s Park Management Committee; Ghateswar Baruah, asserted that the park is being developed on unused land under social forestry near the Tangla Beat Office in Ward No. 4 of Tangla town in Udalguri district. The project is being funded by the Assam Tourism Department with the aim of providing a safe and engaging environment for children.

Additionally, a rest area for senior citizens is being constructed within the park premises using funds from MPLAD fund. The officials clarified that the park, which features various play equipment, has started attracting large numbers of visitors, particularly young children. However, a dangerously leaning burflower (Kadam) tree within the park premises posed a potential threat to children, visitors, and existing infrastructure, including a concrete boundary wall and a ticket counter. After discussions, both the Children’s Park Management Committee and the Tangla Senior Citizens Sanmilan decided to remove the tree in the interest of public safety. “Before the official approval could be obtained, the tree leaned even more dangerously and on January 18 as  the Forest Beat Officer was not present at his office, the tree was cut down without prior permission to prevent an imminent accident,” said Rabindra Kumar Sarma.  The felled tree’s timber was placed near the park’s boundary wall which was later confiscated by the Forest Department. During the press conference, the committee members emphasized that the tree was cut purely in the public interest and that they did not anticipate objections from the Forest Department, as the decision was made as a precautionary measure to protect lives and property.

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