Assam: Doomdooma’s fading green cover raises alarm as residents push for urgent action

The evening sky over Azad Road in Doomdooma still fills with the sound of thousands of birds returning to roost, but beneath the spectacle lies a growing environmental concern. Residents say the town, once rich in forests and wetlands, is steadily losing its ecological balance.

 

Located in Tinsukia district, Doomdooma has undergone significant transformation over the past two centuries. Large-scale deforestation began with the expansion of tea plantations during the colonial period, followed by the construction of roads, railways, and urban infrastructure. Wetlands such as Hahsara, once protected by local rulers for birdlife and grazing, have largely disappeared under tea estates.

 

Despite this, many century-old trees continue to stand across the town—along roads, near public institutions, and within residential areas. These trees serve as habitats for birds, orchids, and other species, but locals say they are increasingly neglected and encroached upon.

 

Arjun Barua, 83, a retired teacher and longtime resident, recalled a very different landscape. “About 110 years ago, the Doomdooma area was full of trees, flora, and fauna… Trees were chopped down on a massive scale. As a result, the temperature in Doomdooma has become warmer. When it should rain, there is no rain,” he said.

 

He warned that unchecked development has altered the region’s climate and stressed the need for coexistence with nature. “Humans must coexist with flora and fauna… If there are no trees left, what will tomorrow hold?”

 

Although Doomdooma has recently seen administrative upgrades, including its status as a Municipal Board and co-district headquarters, residents say environmental protection has not kept pace. The town’s rivers remain polluted with garbage and face ongoing encroachment.

 

Local resident Rajesh Prasad described the situation as critical. “Preserving these old trees, planting more saplings, and creating widespread awareness… is the need of the hour,” he said.

 

Environmental changes in Doomdooma reflect a broader pattern across Assam, where many towns evolved from forested villages but lost natural cover due to colonial-era resource extraction and later infrastructure projects. In areas like Sookriting and Kaliapani, large tracts of land were cleared for strategic establishments, further impacting the ecosystem.

 

Residents are now calling for immediate measures, including a comprehensive tree census, legal protection for old trees, and community-led plantation drives. Without intervention, they warn, the town risks losing the last remnants of its natural heritage.