Archive · 10 Jan 2026
Elevated Corridor Plan for Deepor Beel Raises Eco Concerns
A new elevated railway bridge is being built near a wildlife sanctuary in Assam, India.
This bridge will help animals like elephants cross the railway tracks safely.
However, building the bridge will require cutting down 109 trees.
To make up for this, the railway company will plant 10 new saplings for every tree that is cut down.
An environmentalist named Laxman Teron is concerned about the impact on the environment and wants the company to plant trees that are native to the area and can provide food for birds and other animals.
The company has promised to fund the planting of these new trees.
The project is expected to be completed in about two and a half years.
Elevated railway corridor proposed along Deepor Beel Wildlife Sanctuary to ensure safe animal movement.
109 trees to be felled, with 1,090 saplings to be planted as compensatory plantation.
Environmentalist Laxman Teron advocates for planting indigenous, fruit-bearing trees to mitigate ecological damage.
Railways to fund compensatory plantation at Rs 10,000 per tree, with 80% of felled trees being non-timber species.
Project expected to be completed within 2.5 years under the New Bongaigaon-Kamakhya Doubling Project.
- Who
- Environmentalist Laxman Teron, Northeast Frontier Railway, Forest Department, East Kamrup Forest Division
- What
- Proposed elevated railway corridor along Deepor Beel Wildlife Sanctuary
- When
- Project expected to be completed in 2.5 years
- Where
- Deepor Beel Wildlife Sanctuary, Assam, India
- Why
- To ensure safe movement of elephants and other large animals, including livestock
- Project
- New Bongaigaon-Kamakhya Doubling Project
- Elevated Bridge Length
- 4.8 km
- Trees to be Felled
- 109
- Compensatory Plantation Rate
- 10 saplings per felled tree
- Project Completion Time
- 2.5 years
- Funding for Plantation
- Rs 10,000 per tree
- Indigenous Tree Species
- Moderate height, fruit-bearing
- Wildlife in Area
- Elephants, deer, reptiles, other animals