GUWAHATI: The ongoing transformation of NH-17 into a four-lane road has raised significant environmental concerns in North Salmara, Bongaigaon district in Assam.
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The project has reportedly involved extensive tree felling along the route from Tulungia in Bongaigaon to Mowatari in Dhubri district, including the removal of century-old trees, leaving locals and environmental advocates alarmed.
Conservationists stress the vital ecological role of these mature trees, which each produce 270 to 300 liters of oxygen daily, supporting the lives of 50 to 60 people. They warn that the loss of these trees will disrupt the region's environmental balance and undermine its natural heritage.
Local environmentalists are urging the government to reconsider its approach to the road expansion. They propose acquiring adjacent land to widen the highway rather than sacrificing the trees, which have served as crucial environmental assets for generations.
As the debate continues, residents and activists are calling for sustainable solutions that prioritize both development and ecological preservation.
