Councillor Accused of Turning Belonia JB School Campus Tree-Free, Principal Allegedly Kept in the Dark

By Our Correspondent

Agartala, August 8, 2026

At a time when the government is repeatedly stressing environmental protection, afforestation and the preservation of greenery, a controversy has erupted in Belonia over the cutting of trees inside the campus of Belonia JB School.

According to a local mews report and the details visible in the social media published report, allegations have been raised against councillor Deepa Bhowmik (Pal) over the alleged cutting of trees across the school campus without following the required procedure. The incident has reportedly triggered strong concern among local residents and raised questions over the protection of trees on educational institution premises.

The report describes the development as a sharp contradiction to the government's official emphasis on environmental protection and increasing green cover.

Principal says permission was sought only for two dangerous trees

According to the report, the school's acting headmistress, Mousumi Ghosh Pal, said that she had approached the authorities regarding the removal of two trees considered dangerous and for trimming the branches of some other trees.

However, she allegedly did not give permission for all the trees within the school campus to be cut down.

The report further alleges that the limited request was subsequently used as an opportunity to cut trees across the school premises, leaving the campus considerably depleted of its greenery.

The development has prompted a particularly poignant question: if trees are removed from school campuses, how will the next generation breathe in a healthy environment?

Students lose a green and historic campus

Belonia JB School is described in the report as an institution with a long educational heritage. Its trees reportedly formed an important part of the school's environment, providing shade and contributing to the campus's natural atmosphere.

The report recalls that the campus once had the character of a model school environment, with mature trees, shade and greenery. The sound of students, the shade of the trees and the natural surroundings had together created a distinctive atmosphere.

With the reported removal of the trees, students have allegedly lost much of that green environment.

The issue has therefore gone beyond the question of tree cutting and has developed into a wider debate over environmental responsibility, administrative procedure and the rights of students to study in a healthy and green campus.

Another important aspect highlighted in the report concerns the question of official permission.

The acting headmistress reportedly maintained that she had not authorised the cutting of all the trees. However, when persons involved in the tree-cutting operation were questioned, they allegedly claimed that they were carrying out the work with the full permission of the administration.

This has created a clear contradiction between the school's position and the alleged claims of those undertaking the work.The report says the matter was raised when officials from the concerned office came to enquire about the issue. The headmistress reportedly reiterated that she had not given permission for all the trees to be felled.

The controversy comes at a time when public authorities are conducting campaigns promoting tree plantation and environmental conservation.

Against that backdrop, the alleged large-scale removal of trees from a school campus has attracted criticism. Residents and concerned citizens are questioning whether the administration should permit the removal of mature trees from educational institutions without a transparent assessment and without exploring alternatives.

A school campus, environmentalists often argue, is not merely a place for classrooms. Trees provide shade, reduce heat, improve the local environment and offer students an opportunity to remain connected with nature.The allegations have also raised demands for a proper inquiry into who authorised the tree cutting, how many trees were removed, whether the trees were genuinely dangerous and whether all necessary permissions were obtained.

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