Man saves tree after ‘geologist’ sets trash on fire near roots
Times of India | 24 January 2026
Kolkata: A potentially dangerous act of environmental negligence was averted on Suren Sarkar Street near Subhas Sarobar on Wednesday, thanks to the timely intervention of a vigilant local. A man, who recently shifted to the locality and claimed to be an engineering geologist, had allegedly set fire to a sack of plastic waste at the base of a large kadam (burflower) tree.
The incident was witnessed by Saptorshi Roy Choudhury (33), a musician and founder of a local music school, who described himself as a "conscientious citizen deeply attached to the area's ecology". The kadam tree, nearly five-storey tall, stands close to the Subhas Sarobar swimming pool and the Lake Side (South) Club, and is known to be home to parakeets and several birds.
"I was aghast when I saw the man setting fire to plastic waste right at the base of the tree," Roy Choudhury said. "When I approached him and asked him to stop, he became extremely aggressive and defiant. When I tried to pour water on the fire, he almost pushed me aside."
Fearing further escalation, Roy Choudhury began recording the incident on his mobile phone. According to him, the man dared him to share the video with anyone. "He told me I could not do anything to him," Roy Choudhury alleged.
Disturbed by the incident, Roy Choudhury contacted the Beleghata Police Station.
"Initially, they advised me to pour water over the fire," he said. "I told them how aggressive the man was." Later, police personnel reportedly visited the spot, made inquiries, and left. Roy Choudhury also shared the video with the police via WhatsApp, but claimed that no further action was taken. He also informed the Kolkata Municipal Corporation about the incident.
The accused man reportedly insisted that he was "doing the right thing", though residents questioned the logic and legality of burning plastic waste near a living tree.
Environmentalists pointed out that burning plastic releases toxic fumes and can severely damage soil and tree roots, apart from posing a fire hazard.
"The kadam tree is an old one and an important part of the biodiversity of Subhas Sarobar, which is a known biodiversity hotspot," Roy Choudhury said. "Like many residents here, I am very proud of this neighbourhood. It was especially disheartening to see an educated person commit such a reckless act."
Bonani Kakkar, one of the key green-warriors of the city and founder of People United for Better Living in Calcutta (PUBLIC), said, "There is no dearth of educated people who are environment and climate sceptics. They argue that the world is for only human beings and all other living beings, including trees, are pests."