Green cover of Deepor Beel under threat as elevated railway corridor planned

The lush green beauty of Deepor Beel, one of the city’s most scenic and ecologically sensitive wetlands on the outskirts of Guwahati, is facing an uncertain future. While an elevated railway corridor planned along the wetland promises enhanced protection for wildlife, the project is also expected to lead to the cutting down of more than a hundred trees, raising serious environmental concerns.

According to sources, the Railway Department is set to construct an elevated corridor of nearly five kilometres in length and about 21 feet in height along the Kamakhya–Jogighopa railway route that skirts Deepor Beel. For this purpose, trees lining one side of the existing track have already been marked and sealed by the Forest Department, indicating that large-scale tree cutting is imminent.

Deepor Beel has long been a popular destination for visitors who come daily to enjoy its natural beauty. The trees surrounding the wetland play a crucial role in preserving its serene landscape and ecological balance. Environmentalists fear that once these trees are removed, the green charm of the wetland may be lost permanently.

The elevated corridor project, however, has been planned with the objective of protecting wildlife, particularly wild elephants. The existing railway line had cut across a traditional elephant corridor used by herds to access Deepor Beel in search of food and water. This disruption led to frequent train–animal collisions. Since 2004, at least 15 wild elephants, along with hundreds of birds and several other animals such as monkeys and snakes, have reportedly been killed on this stretch of railway track.

To address the issue, the Deepor Beel Conservation Committee has, over the years, held multiple discussions with railway authorities and staged protests demanding measures to prevent wildlife deaths. Responding to sustained public pressure, the Railways have now decided to close the existing ground-level track and shift train movement to an elevated structure. Once completed, the corridor will allow elephants and other wildlife to move freely beneath it to reach the wetland.

While conservationists have welcomed the decision to restore the natural wildlife corridor, they remain deeply concerned about the environmental cost of the project. Residents and nature lovers have appealed to the authorities to explore alternatives that would allow the bridge to be constructed without cutting trees.

Notably, Clause 9 of the clearance granted by the Forest Department states that most of the affected trees should be transplanted rather than felled. What course of action the Railway Department will ultimately adopt remains uncertain.

For now, the project presents a paradox for nature lovers — hope for the safety of wildlife on one hand, and the fear of losing Deepor Beel’s iconic green cover on the other.

Also Read: Match-Fixing Shadows Over Assam Cricket: Four Ex-State Players Suspended, Crime Branch Steps In