Environmental alarm in Goalpara: Ethanol plant accused of fueling deforestation and public health crisis

The ethanol manufacturing unit “SEAS Biotech,” located at the Matia Industrial Development Centre in Goalpara district, is facing mounting criticism following allegations of large-scale deforestation and environmental degradation. 

The company, which produces ethanol using firewood rather than coal, is reportedly sourcing timber through illegal channels, sparking concerns among environmentalists and local residents.

Sources say that SEAS Biotech has chosen firewood as a cheaper alternative to coal, citing cost efficiency. However, this move has allegedly resulted in indiscriminate tree felling in surrounding forested areas. Timber-laden trucks are frequently seen entering the plant premises, with eyewitnesses and photographic evidence suggesting a steady influx of firewood from districts such as Goalpara, Kamrup, Kokrajhar, Chirang, and even neighbouring Meghalaya.

Environmental activists allege the existence of a nexus of timber mafias operating without valid permits. According to these activists, the mafias evade government revenue and bypasses forest and police checks through illicit arrangements, allowing the firewood trade to flourish unchecked.

Residents living near the ethanol plant have complained of foul odours emanating from the facility, which they say have made daily life unbearable. Health experts have warned that such emissions could pose serious public health risks, particularly in densely populated areas.

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Acting on complaints from concerned citizens, the Forest Department recently seized a truck loaded with firewood during a nighttime operation. Preliminary investigations indicate that the timber was transported without proper documentation, further substantiating fears of illegal sourcing.

It is also recalled that during the initial establishment of the ethanol unit, thousands of sal trees were reportedly cut down. With production ramping up again, environmentalists fear that the cycle of deforestation may be repeating, prompting renewed calls for accountability.

The silence from the Forest Department, district administration, and state government has fueled public anxiety. Environmentalists and local residents are demanding immediate action against the timber mafias and a thorough review of the company’s fuel sourcing practices to prevent further ecological and health hazards.

This controversy has highlighted the tension between industrial development and environmental sustainability in Assam, with citizens and activists urging authorities to prioritize ecological protection alongside economic growth.