Dibrugarh: The District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) of Golaghat has issued an order directing all concerned govt departments and agencies to immediately identify and remove dry, dead, diseased and otherwise vulnerable trees across the district, citing rising fatalities and injuries caused by falling trees during adverse weather conditions in the state.The order issued by the District Commissioner and DDMA Chairperson Pubali Gohain on Tuesday comes against the backdrop of a devastating incident in Guwahati just days earlier. On June 12, Parishmita Hazarika, a college student from Sonari in Charaideo district, was killed when a massive, decayed tree suddenly collapsed onto her scooter near the Kalipur-Bhootnath stretch close to the railway tracks. She was on her way to sit an examination at Pandu College and was declared dead on arrival at a hospital. Her classmate and fellow passenger Jyotirmoy Mohan sustained serious injuries and was admitted to Gauhati Medical College and Hospital for treatment. Eyewitnesses said the tree had visibly decayed roots and toppled without warning.The tragedy sparked widespread public outrage, with organisations including the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) demanding accountability and a thorough probe into why civic authorities failed to remove the hazardous tree earlier. Chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, while acknowledging the public grief, highlighted the difficult position the govt often finds itself in, noting that attempts to fell ageing or dangerous trees frequently draw protests from environmental groups and local residents. He emphasised that public safety must take precedence over preserving trees that pose clear and immediate risks to human life.The Golaghat order underlined that similar hazards persist across the district, with vulnerable trees and overhanging branches posing dangers along roads, near schools, Anganwadi Centres, health institutions, govt offices, electrical lines and other public infrastructure. Under the directive, departments including PWD Roads, the National Highways Authority, the Education Department, the Women and Child Development Department, APDCL, Block Development Officers and Executive Officers of Municipal Boards have all been asked to immediately survey and act upon hazardous trees within their respective jurisdictions.APDCL has been specifically directed to prioritise the removal of trees threatening power lines, poles and transformers to prevent electrocution and power disruptions. All tree-felling operations must be carried out in consultation with the Divisional Forest Officer (Territorial), with proper safety gear, trained personnel, traffic regulation and site barricading mandatory throughout.Circle Officers have been tasked with monitoring compliance across their revenue circles, and all departments must submit Action Taken Reports to the DDMA within seven days. The order warns that delay or non-compliance may attract penal action under the Disaster Management Act, 2005.“This order is issued in the larger public interest and for ensuring the safety of human lives and protection of public and private property in Golaghat District,” the directive stated.
