Himadri Barman (হিমাদ্রী বর্মন)

12/08/2026

Recent news reports say that 500 square kms of forests have been lost in the last two years in India's north-east (The Sentinel, 10.08.2026). Remember that this is government data, so actual loss of forest cover will be much more. Under these shocking developments, I am very much surprised that the Government of Assam has decided to reduce the eco-sensitive zone of Kaziranga National Park from 10 kms to a mere 1 km. The reason being given is the familiar narrative of development and tourist infrastructure. But what about the innumerable risks and the permanent damage to a world heritage site. As one Facebook post said, you can construct a stadium anywhere but you cannot create another Kaziranga.

I had also aired my concern and opposition to the 36 km elevated corridor through the Kaziranga National Park and today also I stand by it. The reasons are simple. Like the flyovers are not helping the cause of Guwahati, the elevated corridor is also not going to help except giving a few fast access through the national park.

Let Kaziranga be a national park - an abode for nature and its beautiful creations. Let us not make it a five star resort for the indulgence of humans. If you have to enjoy nature, you have to manage the little inconveniences. The development narrative cannot and should not factor in only the convenience of humans - we don't own the planet, we share it..

05/08/2026

All my 1999 batchmates of Tezpur University - let's meet up!

31/07/2026

I came to Guwahati on the 18th of July, 2026 from Dibrugarh through the same roads through Sivasagar and Teok that went under flood waters on the 19th. At Guwahati, I am worried about moving out as I don't know when the rains might come and I get stuck. I am on vacation and I can afford to stay indoors. Fortunately, my Guwahati home is in an area which is not prone to waterlogging. Think about what the residents of Guwahati go through every day where they have to move out for work and livelihood.

Massive infrastructure has been built at Guwahati and its vicinity. It is open to debate as to how much was truly essential. I am saying it is open to debate because the infrastructure that is being built is not in any way reducing the problems of the city - be it waterlogging, drinking water, pollution, traffic congestion and I would say a deteriorating quality of life.

I firmly believe that there should be a temporary moratorium on building new infrastructure. Have a proper audit of what the infrastructure that has been developed over the last decade or so at Guwahati has achieved. Have the courage to admit if things didn't work out as planned. I think that the real issue is maintenance of the already built infrastructure and setting the priorities right.

Some of my suggestions:
1. Make the rejuvenation of the Bharalu river along with the Bahini and the other rivulets a priority. Come out of the mindset of making them open drains and instead focus on making them free flowing natural waterways without concrete walls.
2. The hills of Guwahati are its pride and they deserve the respect we are unwilling to give. Human settlements do not mean they have to be destroyed. If you want to live in the hills, you must have the willingness to also climb it.
3..Fix the existing public transport system before adding new systems.. For e.g., fix the time schedules for a bus. They must cover distances on time. Let it be a motto that public transport can move people faster than private transport.
4. Force apartments and other high rises to have rain water harvesting and waste management systems without any kind of relaxation.
5. Make it mandatory to have functional and well maintained toilets in all petrol pumps, markets and other public utilities. If necessary, give some tax relief to maintain them.
6. Above all, deal firmly with those who break the rules, whether it is littering, destroying public property in any form or any other selfish act which compromises overall public welfare.

Remember that all these need serious investment including manpower. Spend the money on purpose and not on some hidden benefits. Leave behind a legacy!

29/07/2026

I have been repeatedly sharing my concern on the merciless attack on nature in the name of our development agenda. What has happened in the recent devastating natural disaster in Upper Assam is a reminder that nature will make us pay in unimaginable ways. Just look at the loss of property and livestock apart from the loss of the reported 70 odd human lives. The disaster has also shown that nature will not discriminate between the rich and the poor.

We need to stop and slow down. We live when nature is respected. Nature is the ultimate God.

23/07/2026

Please help!

The Centre stands in solidarity with the people affected by the recent floods. We call upon our alumni to be a part of the initiative of the Alumni Association of Dibrugarh University to provide some succour to the needy ones.

14/07/2026

As expected!

Experts warn that NEP's expanded curriculum risks undermining core learning for honours students in Indian universities.

12/07/2026

Final Assessment Sheet for Course 20600 (QT) offered to MBA (FT) 2nd Semester uploaded, Check Course Page for 20600 (QT) at:

05/07/2026

Nature's Hues!

29/06/2026

Final Assessment Sheet for Course 40200 (IS) offered to MBA (FT) 4th Semester uploaded, Check Course Page for 40200 (IS) at

28/06/2026

It will be great to catch up!

Calling all the alumni in and around Jorhat to drop in!