Assam: Waste Dumping Threatens Elephants at Digboi Bogapani Corridor

OUR CORRESPONDENT

DIGBOI: Fast accumulating waste, both bio and non-biodegradable in nature, lying at sixes and sevens and dumped in and around Digboi Bogapani Elephant Corridor in Assam’s Tinsukia, pose a serious threat to herds of elephants during their seasonal movement in the harvest period.

The disturbing discovery came to the fore on Monday morning while the data -driven clean-up campaign was formally inaugurated and executed by the Assam chapter of the Midway Journey, Northeast Narrative, and Green Bud NGO in Digboi. The campaign not only involved waste collection but also categorized brand-wise data to track producer accountability, a core component of the Zero Waste Himalaya model.

The Himalayan Cleanup Campaign, an environmental movement spearheaded by Zero Waste Himalaya, a Sikkim-based collective, has expanded its footprint into Assam for the first time while the Assam leg of the campaign was jointly executed by The Midway Journey, Northeast Narrative, and Green Bud NGO, covering three strategic and culturally significant locations of Namphake Village, Bogapani Elephant Corridor, and Tipam Hills in Digboi.

Meanwhile, a three-day volunteer-led mission in the twin districts of Tinsukia and Dibrugarh unearthed unchecked pollution in both populated and ecologically sensitive areas.

Asia’s largest elephant corridor, Bogapani in the historic Oil town Digboi, the birthplace of the world’s oldest refinery, was chosen for the inaugural data-driven cleanup drives formally on Monday. Meanwhile, the Bogapani Forest Reserve, which forms a critical part of Asia’s largest elephant corridor, adjacent to the iconic ‘Welcome to Digboi’ landmark reveals a startling picture.

“What we found here was not just plastic. We found medical waste, sanitary pads, e-waste, and alcohol bottles littered throughout a wildlife passage,” reported Devajit Moran, the Founder of Green Buds Society, Digboi.

“This isn’t just pollution but a threat to biodiversity and a violation of environmental norms,” said Rudrangshu Roy and Subradip Nath, Board of Directors of Northeast Narrative.

“The area, being part of a designated elephant migration route, should ideally be under strict monitoring and waste regulation. The findings point toward a systemic failure in managing waste near forest zones,” Roy added. However, the campaign was shifted to Tipam Hills on Tuesday, a site rich in both natural beauty and of historical significance for the Tai Ahom community.

“The findings here too suggest that the Tipam area suffers from widespread plastic pollution and unregulated waste dumping,” said Githartho Rajkhowa who was leading the drive on Tuesday.

Through interaction of the volunteers with The Sentinel, it is understood that a three-day Assam initiative is more than just a cleanup; it’s a call to action. By combining community participation with data-driven brand audits, the campaign aims to press for systemic change pushing corporations to adopt sustainable packaging and urging local governance bodies to tighten enforcement.

“Glad to learn from the volunteers of the NGOs that Assam too joins ‘The Himalayan Cleanup Campaign’ for the first time and expect the NGOs to deliver their best, if needed by liaisoning with the forest department with available feasible support during their drives,” said the DFO Digboi.

“Volunteers uncovering alarming waste patterns in Eco-Sensitive Zones, if any, would definitely help the stakeholders to design an effective mechanism to curb the menace,” assured the official who had assumed office just a week ago.

“This is not just about cleaning up the trash — it’s about demanding a switch in the way we consume, produce, and manage waste,” said Trinayan Gogoi, a senior NGO activist, adding that they express their sincere gratitude to Digboi Forest Department for extending logistic support required during the campaign period.

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