Chandrapur – just a little far away from Guwahati city, a region once proposed to be the state capital is in the midst of several problems that need long-term solutions. The region is blessed with hills, greenery all around, and river bodies meeting the Mighty Brahmaputra. On a personal note, I got the opportunity to visit Chandrapur several times as it is the home of my dear friend and my college mate Jintu Thakuria. The natural setup of the place makes one mesmerized hence making it suitable for picnics, outings, commercial shoots, films, and so on. When on a particular Sunday when one feels to have a ride or a drive Chandrapur is always on the list. It is one of the major tourist attractions due to its greenery and geographical location.
Today Chandrapur needs attention and attraction to save its natural setup. Recently, the old Chandrapur Thermal Power Station (CTPS) became a spot for dumping ground after the Boragaon dumping ground polluting Deepor Beel has been discontinued followed by an order of the National Green Tribunal (NGT). Guwahati Municipal Corporation ( GMC) had shifted the dumping ground to the alternative location -Chandrapur.
The shift of dumping ground has generated tensions among locals as it would affect the biodiversity of the region and will pollute the place. Interestingly Amchang Wildlife Sanctuary and Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary lies just next to Chandrapur and Chandrapur acts as a natural buffer to both and the shifting of dumping ground will affect the natural habitat. The Digaru and Kolong rivers also lie there which meets the Brahmaputra and the move of dumping ground will pollute the water bodies. Moreover dumping of waste in the heart of Chandrapur will bring diseases and pollute the air harming human survival. It is said that a waste management project is underway in the location that will generate energy from wastes but no signs of the same lies. Tonnes and tonnes of waste from Guwahati city have started to be dumped into Chandrapur. For a long time, several protests have been taking place against the move with the support of local residents, students, and so on but nothing seems to affect the authority.
Very recently in spite of threats of Covid on minds, the locals democratically protested to save their place but they faced brutality from the police injuring many. The action of the police in the form of a lathi charge has turned the non-violent mode of protests in the region into a violent disturbing region. Why is the authority so tough on people and acting so harsh for those who are protesting democratically. Are the voices and concerns of people not important? Recent events have shown how the government has been harsh on its people when voices are raised. Sadly, we are now in a participatory democracy where we cannot participate! The recent activities of the garbage trucks being brought with escort vans to the proposed site make it once in a lifetime scene. GMC claims a waste management project in the region but without any blueprint and without an answer to people.
at Chandrapur. Image Credit: Khanindra Chandra Das
Chandrapur has several problems to be addressed apart from this. Various industries and enterprises have turned dead today affecting its economy and eliminating employment opportunities for local youths. While visiting Chandrapur I realized a massive problem of communication especially to Borbila village crossing river Digaaru is a mammoth task in this 21st Century. The most awaited bridge over Digaru has still not come into reality making the lives of the villagers very difficult, especially during monsoons. The region is a land of opportunity where the government must put an eye on, especially in the tourism sector. The two wildlife sanctuaries very near, hills, water bodies, and so on attract people from the city to relax. As such several projects including recreational activities should be undertaken to attract even more population and is a popular tourist destination of the state. Apart from this small and medium scaled industries keeping in mind ecological sensitivities must be set up which will not only employ the youths of Chandrapur but also the nearby areas thus developing the region as a whole. In spite of eyeing and working on such initiatives, the authority seems to destroy the region with the dumping of waste in Chandrapur. The authority must listen to the locals and must be clear in their minds to go in balance with human civilization and nature. A proper zone for garbage should be taken into consideration keeping it away from biodiversity with a proper waste management system. The region needs support and voices from all corners.
