Guwahati locals upset over felling of trees

Digital Desk: While construction on the flyover at the Zoo Road area of Guwahati is in full swing, some locals have expressed concern about the felling of trees from the area. After discovering that several trees had been chopped off, the residents of Zoo Road were in shock. Locals claim that some of the trees along the footpath were marked as having been felled overnight. They are apprehensive that the remaining trees that are marked will also be axed.

Additionally, the residents claimed that nature is being destroyed in the name of development. "Nature will be harmed if development occurs. Zoo Road used to have simulated flooding. The destruction of the trees will hurt the environment. The construction of the flyover is also intended to reduce city traffic congestion and address the issue of induced flooding. But as the old trees are being cut down overnight, nature is being destroyed,” a resident claimed.

A roadside seller lamented the cutting down of the trees that gave him shade and space to set up his little, improvised shop. He also attributed the nighttime journey to the officials of the forest department. To make space for the construction of the two-lane flyover project at Zoo Road Tiniali on Radha Govinda Baruah road, numerous trees were felled last year. People were outraged by the felling of the tree and criticised the government for chopping down mature trees. After the flypast was finished, the authorities promised that valuable trees would be planted nearby.