Assam Felled Over 100,000 Mature Trees Since 2016, Experts Raise Ecological Concerns

Official data obtained through RTI reveals that over 106,000 mature trees have been felled across Assam since May 2016, primarily for government infrastructure and private projects. The pace increased during Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma's tenure, with around 65,000 trees cut. None of the responding forest divisions reported conducting ecological impact studies. While the government cites development needs and large-scale sapling plantations to offset loss, experts express concern over significant ecological damage and the lack of scientific assessment.