Outrage Erupts: Papon Angaraag, Rima Das and Celebs Unite Against Devastating Tree Slashing in Guwahati’s Dighalipukhuri
The removal of historic trees around Dighalipukhuri in Guwahati has sparked significant backlash from Assamese cultural figures, including singer Papon Angaraag and filmmaker Rima Das, highlighting the tension between urban development and cultural preservation. Both artists have expressed deep concern over the felling of century-old trees, which they view as vital components of Assam’s heritage and ecological identity.
Papon has voiced his dismay on social media, criticizing the ongoing destruction of these trees for city modernization projects. He warned that such actions could erase Guwahati’s historical appeal and ecological character, urging a more considerate development approach that respects historical elements, even if it entails higher costs.
Similarly, Rima Das mourned the irreplaceable loss of these trees, emphasizing their cultural and emotional significance for Assamese heritage. She called for greater recognition of the cultural and emotional ramifications of such development decisions. Their reactions echo a broader discourse on sustainable urban planning, advocating for development that harmoniously integrates environmental and cultural conservation.
The controversy extends into the construction of a nearly six-mile-long flyover from Reserve Bank to Noonmati, which has incited widespread dissatisfaction among Guwahati residents, particularly after a recent design change affecting Dighalipukhuri. On October 28, authorities marked 25 trees, including some over 200 years old, for cutting down, inciting alarm among environmental advocates.
In response to a Right to Information query, Public Works Department officials admitted that no environmental impact study was conducted for the project, nor was any public consultation held. This oversight has heightened concerns about the impact on Guwahati’s biodiversity and cultural sites, as these trees are seen as crucial to the city’s ecology.
A group of 38 notable citizens has called for a protest on October 29, 2024, opposing the tree-cutting plan. They argue that the flyover’s construction, absent an environmental impact study, threatens Dighalipukhuri’s biodiversity and the broader environment of Guwahati, with these trees acting as vital habitats and natural cooling systems.
Original Story https://www.indiatodayne.in/assam/story/papon-angaraag-to-rima-das-celebs-express-anger-over-slashing-trees-in-guwahatis-dighalipukhuri-1113324-2024-10-30?utm_source=rssfeed
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Publish Date: 2024-10-30 10:30:00
