Assam man embarks on a plastic bottle boat journey from Shilghat to Guwahati, faces hurdle in Kaziranga

In a bid to promote a plastic-free Brahmaputra, nature lover Dhiraj Vikas Gogoi embarked on a journey from Shilghat to Guwahati in a boat made entirely of plastic bottles. 

However, Gogoi’s journey faced significant challenges, leaving him mentally shattered and questioning the future of his environmental endeavors.

The Kaziranga National Park administration posed a major hurdle for Gogoi's team, which traveled from Dibrugarh to Guwahati. Despite their noble intentions, the team was obstructed by park authorities due to new regulations aimed at protecting the environment and promoting a plastic-free Brahmaputra. 

These unforeseen obstacles have deeply affected Gogoi, who expressed his frustration and sadness over the stringent rules impacting their mission.

Despite these setbacks, the journey was made possible with the assistance of the local community. After transporting the plastic boat by truck from Bokakhat to Shilghat, the team received crucial help from the residents of Shilghat and employees of the Assam Cooperative Jute Mill. This support enabled the group to launch their unique boat onto the river.

Gogoi, emotionally drained by the experience, lamented that this might be his last journey dedicated to nature. His efforts to highlight the issue of plastic pollution and inspire others to take action have been met with both bureaucratic resistance and local support.

Despite the challenges, the boat's journey from Shilghat to Guwahati symbolizes a continued commitment to environmental advocacy. Gogoi and his team hope that their efforts will raise awareness about the importance of keeping the Brahmaputra and other natural resources free from plastic pollution.