Guwahati: Residents, experts, and civil society groups are concerned about riverbank erosion near the Canopus Eco Tourist Camp at Hatighuli in Assam’s Tinsukia, as preventive measures remain stalled despite visible warning signs.
The Dibrugarh–Tinsukia District Flood and Erosion Resistance Struggle Forum has raised alarm over severe erosion along an approximately 800-metre stretch close to the eco-tourism facility.
“This stretch has become extremely vulnerable after the last monsoon,” a Forum member said, adding that “any delay in intervention could worsen the situation irreversibly.”
During a recent field visit led by Forum president Binod Kedia, the team observed a stark contrast in erosion-control efforts across the region.
“While embankment works using sand-filled geo-bags are progressing at full pace in erosion-prone areas like Milonpur, Felai and Naokata, no steps have been initiated near the tourist camp,” Kedia pointed out.
The Forum noted that heavy erosion during the previous monsoon resulted in the formation of a large depression resembling a pond near the camp.
“Once the monsoon sets in, this depression will attract inflow of water, which could accelerate erosion and threaten nearby areas,” an expert associated with the Forum warned.
It was recalled that erosion-control works using geo-bags had earlier been carried out along a stretch of nearly 1,200 metres. However, most of these protective structures were washed away during the last flood.
“This clearly shows the urgency of repairing and strengthening the embankment before the next monsoon,” a local resident remarked.
According to locals, unless repair work is undertaken along an approximately 1,100-metre stretch near the camp and geo-bags or geo-tubes are installed along an 800-metre vulnerable zone during the dry season, erosion-control efforts downstream in the Felai–Naokata area will remain ineffective.
“No matter how many geo-bags are used downstream, the problem will persist if this section is ignored,” a villager said.
The Forum and residents have jointly appealed to the Water Resources Department to immediately initiate erosion-prevention measures near the Canopus Eco Tourist Camp, warning that inaction could endanger tourism infrastructure, ecology, and livelihoods.