Q. Recently (July 2025), the Uttarakhand forest department approved diversion of forest land in the Bhagirathi eco-sensitive zone for which project? a) Rishikesh–Karnaprayag Railway Line b) Netala bypass under the Char Dham road project c) Tehri Hydro Power Project Expansion d) All-weather Kedarnath Ropeway
Answer: Netala bypass under the Char Dham road project
Notes: The Uttarakhand forest department granted in-principle approval for the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) to use 17.5 hectares of forest land to construct the Netala bypass (8.07 km) along NH-34, part of the Char Dham road project. The stretch falls within the fragile Bhagirathi eco-sensitive zone, where the Supreme Court and High Power Committee (HPC) had earlier capped road width at 5.5 metres and advised against large-scale tree felling. Environmentalists allege the clearance violates these directives, with the risk of destabilising slopes and worsening landslides and monsoon disasters in the region.