More than one lakh mature trees have been felled across Assam over the past ten years, sparking concern among environmental experts who warn that the large-scale loss of green cover has occurred without proper ecological impact studies.
The figures came to light through a Right to Information (RTI) query, which revealed that at least 1,06,000 fully grown trees were cut down since 2016. The data was collected from 15 forest divisions of the state, while several other divisions either did not provide information or failed to respond to the request.
According to officials, the trees were removed mainly to facilitate development projects such as highway expansion, infrastructure construction, and other government initiatives. Projects like the widening of major highways and establishment of new institutions reportedly required the clearing of forest areas and roadside plantations.
However, environmentalists and researchers have expressed concern over the absence of proper impact assessments before the felling of such a large number of trees. Experts say mature trees play a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance by storing carbon, supporting biodiversity, and regulating local climate conditions.
Although the state government has said that compensatory plantation drives have been undertaken, experts argue that saplings cannot immediately replace the ecological value of decades-old trees.
They have urged the government to conduct comprehensive environmental impact studies and adopt sustainable planning to balance development needs with the protection of Assam’s fragile ecosystems.
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