Uttarakhand Forest Clearance Sparks Environmental Concerns
Uttarakhand’s forest department approved the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) plan to build the Netala bypass. This road is part of the larger Char Dham infrastructure project. The approval allows the use of 17.5 hectares of forest land in the fragile Bhagirathi eco-sensitive zone. The decision has caused widespread protests from environmentalists and local communities. They claim the project violates Supreme Court orders and expert committee recommendations. The concern centres on the felling of thousands of deodar trees and the increased risk of landslides.
Netala Bypass Project
The Netala bypass is an 8.07-kilometre road stretch between Hina and Tekhla on National Highway 34. It aims to improve connectivity under the Char Dham project. The project is managed by the BRO, a government agency responsible for road construction in difficult terrains. The bypass is designed to widen existing roads to 10 metres. However, the Supreme Court had previously limited road width to 5.5 metres in this eco-sensitive zone.
Environmental and Legal Concerns
Environmentalists argue that the clearance violates the Supreme Court’s orders and the High Power Committee (HPC) recommendations. The HPC had advised against large-scale road construction in this landslide-prone zone. It recommended only limited road improvements and stopping the felling of deodar trees. The Supreme Court’s 2020 order also required detailed terrain and environmental assessments before construction. Activists claim these assessments were ignored, making the clearance an act of contempt of court.
Impact on Forests and Ecology
The project threatens thousands of deodar trees between Jhala and Bhairoghati. Deodar forests are crucial for slope stability and biodiversity. Their removal increases the risk of soil erosion and landslides. The Bhagirathi eco-sensitive zone is vital for the Ganga river’s ecology. Cutting trees here may disrupt water cycles and local wildlife habitats. Activists warn that road widening will damage this delicate ecosystem irreversibly.
Risks to Local Communities
Residents report that road widening from Rishikesh to Uttarkashi has already triggered landslides. Monsoon travel has become hazardous, especially between Nalupani and Chamba. Locals fear that the Netala bypass will worsen these conditions. They worry about the safety of lives and livelihoods downstream. Citizen groups demand an independent inspection and immediate cancellation of the forest clearance. They stress the need for sustainable development that respects environmental limits.
Public and Official Responses
Several activists and local leaders have submitted objection letters to authorities. The Himalayan Nagrik Drishti Manch called the approval a direct attack on the region’s ecology. The group urged the central ministries and the Chardham oversight committee to reconsider the decision. The forest department’s approval has exposed tensions between development goals and environmental protection. It marks the challenges of infrastructure projects in ecologically fragile Himalayan zones.
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