ENVIRONMENTAL activists have blasted
the Assam government for giving permission to a private party to carry out
blasting of the Chandardinga Hill in
Dhubri district. Saumyadeep Dutta,
director of Nature's Beckon, a local
environmental activist group, said the
state government had allowed a private
party, Rock Product Traders, to go for
blasting of the Chandardinga Hill to
supply rocks to Bangladesh for the construction of a dam. The activists have
alleged that the blasting would cause not
only severe environmental degradation
but also social problems leading to
untoward situation. A group of 500
activists staged a demonstration in the
area last month.
Chandardinga Hill is a reserve forest
covering an area of about 284 ha and
blasting has been allowed in five ha.
Valuable trees and medicinal plants are
found in these forests. Besides, a good
number of wild animals including
barking deer, leopard, porcupine etc
are found in the area. The activists
fear the blasting would adversely
affect river dolphins living in the
Brahmaputra river, flowing just beneath
the hill. The blasting may also cause
siltation of the river which would
cause serious flood problems in the
nearby areas.
We are a voice to you; you have been a support to us. Together we build journalism that is independent, credible and fearless. You can further help us by making a donation. This will mean a lot for our ability to bring you news, perspectives and analysis from the ground so that we can make change together.
Comments are moderated and will be published only after the site moderator’s approval. Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name. Selected comments may also be used in the ‘Letters’ section of the Down To Earth print edition.