Assam: Several trees felled for new flyovers in Guwahati

Guwahati: The Assam government's ambitious development plans in Guwahati are raising concerns among residents as the city's green cover continues to dwindle.

The administration, which has already felled hundreds of trees for the construction of flyovers, has now planned to axe an additional 200 trees in the Six Mile-Rukminigaon and Downtown areas to make way for a new flyover on GS Road.

Last night, the Forest Department cut down at least 25 trees in the Down Town area, sparking reactions from residents.

Furthermore, a proposed highway project stretching from Baihata Chariali to Sonapur via Kuruwa threatens to decimate over 3,200 trees, including some within the Amchang Wildlife Sanctuary. The highway will pass through 800 meters of the sanctuary.

Guwahati city has already lost approximately 7,000 trees due to flyover construction and upgrades to the National Highway from Jalukbari to Khanapara. This significant loss of green cover has contributed to a rise in temperatures, with recent maximum temperatures reaching 40 degrees Celsius.

"If the government continues to cut trees at this rate, it will become unbearable to live in Guwahati in the near future," warned Nabajit Barman, a local resident.

Environmental activists are calling for a halt to the indiscriminate felling of trees and urging the government to prioritize sustainable urban development that preserves the city's green spaces.