Guwahati: The Gauhati High Court will hear a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) on Tuesday challenging the Assam government’s decision to fell several centuries-old trees along the banks of the historic Dighalipukhuri in Guwahati to make way for a flyover.
The Gauhati High Court’s decision to hear the PIL comes in the backdrop of the continuous protests by students, artists, and concerned citizens of Guwahati since October 29 against the government’s plan to cut down at least 27 centuries-old trees at Dighalipukhuri for the Noonmati-RBI Point flyover project.
Recognizing the gravity of the situation, a high court bench, led by Chief Justice Vijay Bishnoi and Justice N Unni Krishnan Nair, has scheduled a hearing on Tuesday.
The PIL, filed by journalists Mahesh Deka and Chandan Borgohain, and activist Jayanta Gogoi, represented by senior advocate Vikram Rajkhowa, seeks a stay on the government’s decision.
The petitioners urge the Gauhati High Court to appoint an expert panel to redesign the flyover to avoid damaging the historic Dighalipukhuri and its trees.
The PIL contends that the tree felling would not only be an environmental catastrophe but would also obliterate a significant part of the city’s heritage.
The petitioners also argue that the destruction of these trees would severely impact the historic Dighalipukhuri tank.
Dighalipukhuri, known for its historic pond and green cover, holds significant ecological and cultural value for the city. The trees scheduled for removal provide essential shade, particularly during the summer months, and serve as habitats for rare migratory birds, contributing to the urban biodiversity.
ALSO READ:Assam: Guwahati residents protest against tree felling at Dighalipukhuri for flyover construction
Notably, on October 29, concerned citizens gathered in Guwahati’s Dighalipukhuri area to protest against the government’s decision to cut down large number of trees to make way for the construction of a flyover.
