Sonajhuri Haat, situated near the Visva Bharati University's Santiniketan campus—a UNESCO World Heritage site—has traditionally attracted numerous visitors during Holi. To enforce the ban, the Bolpur Forest Division has installed banners throughout the area, urging tourists and locals to refrain from parking vehicles or engaging in Holi festivities within the forested zones. Visitors have also been advised against recording videos of any celebrations.
Bolpur Divisional Forest Officer Rahul Kumar emphasized the importance of public cooperation in this initiative. While the department plans to collaborate with local police and administrative bodies to uphold the ban, Kumar expressed hope that visitors would exercise discretion and respect the ecological sensitivity of the region.
This marks the first instance where the forest department has imposed such a restriction at Sonajhuri Haat. The area had become a focal point for large-scale Holi celebrations, especially after Visva Bharati University ceased allowing public participation in its 'Basanta Utsav' post-2019. The university's decision was influenced by concerns over managing vast crowds and preserving the campus's integrity.
A spokesperson for Visva Bharati highlighted that opening the campus to potentially over 500,000 visitors during Holi would pose significant logistical challenges, particularly in light of its UNESCO heritage designation. Consequently, the university has opted to limit festivities to its internal community, aligning with efforts to maintain the site's cultural and environmental sanctity.
The forest department's prohibition specifically targets the assembly of large groups in the Sonajhuri Khowai belt on March 14, coinciding with Dol Yatra. Officials are concerned that the traditional practice of sprinkling coloured water could inflict irreversible damage on the local flora. They are appealing to the public to commit to safeguarding the Sonajhuri forest from ecological harm during the festivities.
Historically, the Sonajhuri forest area has experienced significant environmental strain during Holi. In past years, thousands of visitors converged on the forest, leading to traffic congestion and challenges in crowd management. Environmentalists have raised alarms about the pollution and degradation resulting from such large gatherings, underscoring the need for protective measures.
The forest department's current stance reflects a broader commitment to enforcing existing forest laws, which prohibit activities like playing with colours or organizing large assemblies within protected forest areas. Officials have indicated that any attempts to contravene these regulations during Holi will prompt legal action, reinforcing the seriousness of the ecological preservation efforts.
Local authorities and environmental advocates are hopeful that these measures will foster greater awareness about the importance of conserving Santiniketan's unique ecological landscape. By curbing activities that threaten the health of the forest, they aim to ensure that the area's natural beauty and biodiversity are preserved for future generations.
The community's response to the ban has been mixed. While some residents and frequent visitors express disappointment over the restrictions on traditional celebrations, others acknowledge the necessity of such measures to protect the environment. The debate highlights the ongoing challenge of balancing cultural festivities with ecological responsibility.