In the heart of Guwahati, a city grappling with rapid urbanisation, lies a serene lake, Dighalipukhuri. Recently, this beautiful place found itself at the centre of a spirited protest, a testament to the growing environmental consciousness of its citizens. The proposed construction of a flyover, which threatened to encroach upon the lake's natural beauty and ecological balance, ignited a firestorm of public outrage
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This protest was more than just a reaction to a specific development project. It was a call for a more sustainable and environmentally responsible approach to urban development. The citizens of Guwahati, united by their love for their city and its natural heritage, demonstrated that environmental issues can and should be a central part of political discourse.
A Pattern of Neglect
Unfortunately, the concern for Dighalipukhuri is not an isolated incident. The city has witnessed numerous instances of environmental degradation, often overlooked or dismissed by policymakers. The construction of highways and flyovers has frequently led to the destruction of green spaces and the uprooting of ancient trees. The annual floods that inundate the city, causing widespread suffering, are a stark reminder of the consequences of unchecked development.
Last year, the construction of a new highway between Jalukbari and Khanapara led to the cutting down of many roadside trees. This is just one example of how often green spaces are destroyed for development projects. Even projects like flyovers in Maligaon and Zoo Road Tiniali faced protests from concerned citizens, but the government ignored their concerns. These actions show a clear disregard for the environment and the importance of green spaces in our cities.
Every year, Guwahati faces severe flooding that affects people from all walks of life. This recurring problem highlights the government's failure to address the root causes of flooding, such as poor urban planning and inadequate drainage systems. Despite the immense suffering caused by these floods, neither local, state, nor central governments seem to prioritise finding long-term solutions. This lack of action has led to significant mental distress among the city's residents.
Deepor Beel, a vital wetland and a Ramsar site, is facing serious threats due to pollution and encroachment. The government's recent proposal to convert part of the wetland into a water park demonstrates a complete disregard for the ecological importance of this unique ecosystem. This decision not only jeopardises the survival of countless species but also highlights the authorities' narrow-minded approach to environmental conservation.
A Call for Change
Why do such environmental concerns often take a backseat in political discourse? The answer lies in the complex interplay of factors, including short-term political gains, bureaucratic negligence and public apathy. Politicians, focused on electoral victories, tend to prioritise issues that can garner immediate public support, such as infrastructure projects and populist measures. Environmental concerns, often long-term and complex, are frequently sidelined.
Furthermore, the lack of public awareness and engagement on environmental issues contributes to the problem. Many citizens are unaware of the ecological significance of their surroundings or the potential consequences of environmental degradation. This allows policymakers to make decisions that have far-reaching negative impacts.
While the ambitious goal of planting a record number of trees under the Amrit Brikshya Andolan is commendable, it's crucial to shift our focus from mere quantity to quality and long-term sustainability. While planting saplings is an important step, the true measure of success lies in their survival and growth into mature trees.
Experts emphasise the significance of caring for the trees that have been planted, including regular watering, fertilisation, and protection from pests and diseases. Without proper monitoring and maintenance, many saplings may not survive, diminishing the overall impact of the initiative.
Moreover, the pursuit of records should not overshadow the core environmental objectives of conservation and ecological restoration. A more sustainable approach would involve strategic planting in degraded areas, prioritising native species, and fostering biodiversity. By focusing on these aspects, we can truly contribute to a greener and healthier planet.
As there lie false narratives regarding environmental protection, Dighalipukhuri protests has shown that citizens can make a difference by actively participating in the political process. By raising their voices and demanding accountability for their nature, they can compel policymakers to prioritise environmental concerns. It has been crucial to educate the public about environmental issues and empower them to become active participants in environmental conservation. Moreover, the government must strengthen environmental regulations and ensure their strict enforcement. Corrupt practices and bureaucratic hurdles that hinder environmental protection must be eliminated. Transparent and participatory decision-making processes should be adopted to ensure public input in development projects.
A Shared Responsibility
The responsibility for protecting our environment lies not only with the government but also with each individual. We must adopt sustainable lifestyles, reduce our carbon footprint, and conserve natural resources. By making conscious choices, we can contribute to a healthier planet.
Institutions such as Cotton University (CU) have regularly engaged students across the city in various activities related to Citizen Science. The Environmental Biology and Wildlife Sciences (EBWS) department of CU conducts Campus Bird Count, Tree Walks, Squirrel Counts etc which helps to understand the Ecological Importance of the various city spaces. There lies a database of the birds around the Dighalipukhuri, recorded during each event CBC, from the past 7 years. Not only CU, not-for-profit organisations such as Aranyak, Assam Bird Monitoring Network (ABMN) etc also conduct various nature education initiatives. The forest trail conducted by Aranyak or the Bird Count events during each Bihu festival, conducted by ABMN is encouraging citizens to explore more in the natural world.
The Dighalipukhuri protest serves as a powerful reminder that environmental issues are not mere technicalities but matters of social and ecological justice. Most people in India don't understand complex environmental issues like environmental justice and political ecology. This is because our schools and colleges don't have suitable curricula regarding environmental education. Many important environmental events go unnoticed. We must speak up and protect nature, or else nature will destroy us.
(The author is a Junior Research Fellow at Sikkim University, Tadong, Sikkim. All views and opinions are the author’s own.)
