GUWAHATI: The Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) on August 9 clarified that they have no plans of cutting down any tree inside the Nehru Park. A day before students and activists from the Cotton University planned to hold a protest on August 9 after the news spread that the big historic tree in the Nehru park would be cut down.
Speaking on the matter GMDA CEO Kausar Jamil Hilaly said, “It is completely a lie. Some people are spreading a fake news. There is no such plan. Not a single tree will be cut down.”
According to some students, they have seen some activities where trees were cut down inside the boundary of Nehru Park. Moreover, students heard from the vendors that the historic big tree that was a landmark of the area would be cut down. So they gathered and decided to raise their voice and protest against it. But later, the CEO of GMDA clarified that there is no such activity going on.
Speaking to G Plus a student of Cotton University and also one of the organiser of the protest Tridib Bhagawati said, He “According to the vendors, the GMDA planned to cut the historic tree. The concerned authority has not given any statement about it. Moreover today the GMDA changed their plans and they said that they will not cut down the tree. Therefore we can't protest. We are waiting here till 12.”
Bhagawati added, “We were about to hold the protest because that particular huge tree is the essence of this place. The tree has a great role in cooling the University. Moreover, if this particular tree is cut down, the beauty of the road will disappear. What is the meaning of a beautification project if it destroys another beauty?"
Another student from Cotton University said, “The message about GMDA cutting the tree was received by many students. It was a 'Forwarded Message' on WhatsApp that everyone received, shared and posted.”
