Bengal Govt bans Holi at Sonajhuri Haat in Santiniketan; Forest Dept cites threat to greenery

The West Bengal government has banned Holi celebrations at Sonajhuri Haat in Santiniketan’s Birbhum district, citing concerns over environmental damage. The forest department has prohibited the use of colors and parking of vehicles in the area, which is known for its dense greenery and cultural significance. Banners have been placed around the site to inform visitors about the restrictions, urging them to cooperate in preserving the ecosystem.

Bolpur Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Rahul Kumar stated that the department will seek police and administrative support to enforce the ban but expects visitors to act responsibly. "What we want to avert is the assembling of thousands of people during the festival of colors in an area where there is a green cover. The sprinkling of colored water may cause irreparable damage to trees," he said. Officials have also requested visitors not to record videos of any festivities in the area.

Visva Bharati University has also reiterated its stance of not allowing public celebrations of ‘Basanto Utsav’ on campus due to its UNESCO World Heritage status. "We are not opening the varsity campus (to all) for the 'Basanto Utsav' because of the UNESCO World Heritage status. Opening it up for all would mean accommodating more than 5,00,000 people within the ashrama, which Visva Bharati cannot manage in terms of infrastructure and logistics," a university spokesperson said.

MoS for Consumer Affairs and MoS for Forest, Birbaha Hansda, clarified that there is no outright ban on Holi in Santiniketan but rather a request to protect the environment. "We have not banned Holi (in Santiniketan); we had requested the people to secure the environment. When people play Holi - it contains chemicals that may harm trees," she stated. The move marks the first time such restrictions have been imposed at Sonajhuri Haat, which has seen increased Holi celebrations since Visva Bharati stopped public participation in ‘Basanto Utsav’ in 2019.

Opposition leader Suvendu Adhikari has criticized the decision, alleging political motivations. He claimed that meetings were held at police stations specifically regarding Holi and that authorities have directed celebrations to conclude by 10 a.m. on March 14. "There will be arrests if someone does something. Birbhum Additional SP said that by 10 a.m., the Holi celebrations in Santiniketan should be wrapped up because it is Friday," he alleged. However, officials maintain that the restrictions are solely to prevent environmental damage in the forested area. Security will be heightened on March 14 to ensure compliance.