Rapid growth of built-up areas in Guwahati; Hills likely to bear the brunt

GUWAHATI: The built-up area (areas with structures erected) in Guwahati has grown manifold in the past few years. And it has a cascading effect on ecological balance, including the hills in and around the capital city.

According to the findings of research on the land use change trajectories in Guwahati city conducted by CK Pawe and A Saikia of Gauhati University, the forest areas in and around Guwahati decline at a rate of 163 hectares per year due to encroachment or expansion of business activities. According to the research work, the rise in the percentage of built-up urban development inside city hills from 2002 to 2015 was: 7.2 percent to 20.1 percent in Fatasil Reserve Forest, 26.2 percent to 57 percent in South Kalapahar Reserve Forest, 16.1 percent to 33.3 percent in the Hengrabari Reserve Forest, 1.3 percent to 5.2 percent in Amchang Reserve Forest, etc. During the same period, Guwahati recorded 61.2 percent growth in built-up area, though its population grew far less rapidly at 17.7 percent. The research has also covered the growth of built-up areas in Guwahati other than forest areas.

According to the research paper, the city hills in designated reserve forests are likely to bear the brunt of built-up area development. These protected areas, particularly Gotanagar, Sarania, Amchang, Khanapara RF, etc., could experience further rises in built-up areas.

Indeed, land use intensification and extension exert pressure on urban areas, often causing land degradation, and Guwahati is no exception to such a tendency. The proliferation of Guwahati's concrete jungle affected its ecological balance, and it is imperative to stem further urban forest losses, the findings of the research work said.

According to official sources, encroachment in the reserve forest areas in and around Guwahati is rampant. Besides erecting houses, commercial construction is going on at a fast pace. The Forest Department continues to fall short of doing enough to protect the forest areas in the city. Though the government carries out evictions from time to time, the move seems not to be enough to prevent the encroachers. In the absence of political will, the move to keep the forest areas in and around Guwahati intact will remain a far cry.

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