Massive Protests Erupt in Uttarakhand Over Widening of NH-7: 4,369 Trees Cut Down in Critical Elephant Corridor
DEHRADUN / RISHIKESH — A fierce controversy has erupted in Uttarakhand over a ₹743 crore highway expansion project along National Highway 7, where authorities plan to cut down 4,369 trees—including century-old Sal trees—in the ecologically fragile "Saat Mod" (7 Bends) forest stretch between Bhaniawala, Jolly Grant Airport, and Rishikesh.
Key Highlights at a Glance
The Project:
₹743-crore NHAI expansion widening 20 km of NH-7 to ease traffic between Dehradun, Jolly Grant Airport, and Rishikesh. Ecological Loss: Felling of 3,605 mature trees and transplantation of 754 trees in the Shivalik forest belt.
Wildlife Impact: Disruption of a recognized elephant movement corridor linking to the Rajaji Tiger Reserve.
Public Resistance:
Chipko-style protests, tree-hugging, tying sacred protection threads (rakhi), and observing "Kala Harela" in protest. Government Response:
Temporary halt ordered by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami to conduct fresh stakeholder consultations.
Public Resistance Echoes the Historic Chipko Movement
The decision to clear the dense forest cover has triggered widespread public outrage. Local residents, environmental activists, students, and retired officials have converged on the site to block loggers and bulldozers. Demonstrators physically embraced tree trunks in a scene reminiscent of the historic 1970s Chipko movement and tied protective threads around trees.
Mitigation Measures and Current Status
In response to intense public pressure and legal petitions filed in court, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami announced a temporary suspension of tree felling, stating that infrastructure development cannot proceed at the cost of public sentiment and environmental health.
NHAI maintains that the project includes scientific mitigation measures—such as a 3.5-km elevated wildlife passage, four dedicated elephant underpasses, sound barriers, and 40 hectares of compensatory afforestation—designed in consultation with the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) and WWF-India.
