GUWAHATI: Residents of several villages in South Kamrup have raised strong objections to the government's decision to de-reserve over 150 bighas of traditional grazing and wetland area in Dorabeel for the construction of a private logistics park by New Kolkata International Development Pvt. Ltd.
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On May 5, in a press conference at Gauhati Press Club, residents alleged that the project threatens their livelihoods, environment, and cultural heritage. The land in question, they say, is not vacant but a vital support system for thousands.
Environmentalists and local groups have warned that the project will have severe ecological and social consequences. “We are opposing this because Dorabeel is a wetland, and with the construction of a logistics park, it will hamper the entire biodiversity of the region,” said Dipankar Thakuria, an environmentalist based in Chayygaon.
According to Thakuria, over 3,000 families in the surrounding villages depend on this land for grazing livestock. During monsoon, the land merges with the Dorabeel wetland, which supports fish production for around 2,000 families. Additionally, nearly 500 families involved in pottery rely on the fertile clay found in the area.
Another local from Rampur talking to GPlus said, “Agricultural families will also be impacted,” he added. “This land supports the water table and natural flood absorption. Losing it will lead to water scarcity and more floods in nearby villages.”
Locals also expressed concern about increased pollution. Existing industries in the vicinity have already caused air and water degradation, and residents fear the logistics park will worsen the situation.
The cultural significance of the land is also being highlighted by the villagers. For generations, it has hosted the Suwari festival of seven villages and other traditional events like Magh Bihu’s meji lighting. “This is more than land. It is where our culture breathes,” said an elderly person from the area told GPlus.
The area is home to over 200 species of migratory and resident birds, 74 types of fish, and several rare plant species. Environmentalists warn that the project could damage breeding grounds of the endangered Gangetic river dolphin in the nearby Kulshi River and disrupt the ecological balance.
Women and youth in the region have also voiced their concerns over the possible rise in social insecurity due to increased traffic and movement of outsiders once construction begins.
“The government must reconsider,” said another local from the area. “You cannot erase the lives and livelihoods of so many in the name of development.”
As the villagers continue to press for the protection of Dorabeel, they are appealing to authorities to assess the long-term consequences before moving forward with the project.
