Dehradun: The Uttarakhand government has temporarily suspended the felling of more than 4,300 trees for the proposed Bhaniyawala–Rishikesh road widening project following days of protests by residents, environmental activists and citizens who warned of severe ecological damage.
The 19-kilometre National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) project aims to widen the busy stretch connecting Dehradun, Jolly Grant Airport and Rishikesh to ease traffic congestion. However, the project requires the removal of 4,369 trees, many of them located within the ecologically sensitive Shivalik elephant reserve, triggering widespread opposition.
For nearly a week, protesters staged demonstrations reminiscent of the historic Chipko Movement, hugging trees, forming human chains and attempting to stop chainsaws from cutting them down. The protests gained momentum after around 400 trees had already been felled, with activists arguing that the project threatens biodiversity, wildlife corridors and the region’s fragile ecosystem.
Responding to the growing public outcry, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami announced an immediate halt to the tree-felling exercise. He directed the Chief Secretary to hold detailed consultations with residents, environmental experts, public representatives and other stakeholders before any further decision is taken.
Officials have maintained that the highway expansion is intended to improve connectivity and reduce travel time. They also said the NHAI has deposited funds for compensatory afforestation and transferred land to the Forest Department for developing new forests. Environmental groups, however, argue that mature forests and elephant habitats cannot be easily replaced through plantation drives.
The controversy has reignited the long-standing debate between infrastructure development and environmental conservation in the Himalayan state, with many describing the movement as a modern-day revival of Uttarakhand’s iconic Chipko Andolan.
