CM suspends cutting of trees for Dehradun-Rishikesh road broadening project

Calls for consensus and dialogue with all stakeholders, activists & experts

PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/ Dehradun

Taking cognisance of the concerns raised by the civil society, environmentalists and locals, chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami ordered suspension of tree felling being undertaken for the Dehradun- Rishikesh four/six lane project on National Highway 7 on Saturday. He directed the principal secretary, Forest and officials concerned to re-establish detailed dialogue with all stakeholders, local citizens, public representatives and experts for the project.

In a message on social media, the CM said that Dehradun-Rishikesh road widening project is a major infrastructure project of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and it is being implemented in compliance with the directions of the High Court and by following all necessary statutory and environmental approvals and procedures. He said that the project also includes provisions for wildlife conservation, including a 3.5 kilometre long elephant underpass and special culverts for the movement of small wildlife, which will help reduce human-wildlife conflict and wildlife deaths in road accidents, which are common along this route. 

“Development is essential for us, but no decision will be made by ignoring public sentiment, the environment and local interests. Further action will be taken in full respect of the High Court’s directives and decision. Furthermore, the felling of trees under this project will be suspended until satisfactory consensus and an atmosphere of trust is established with all parties. For me, Uttarakhand’s nature, public sentiment, and the state’s development are all equally important. Our government will move forward based on dialogue, consensus, and the broader public interest,’’ he said.

The founder of Social Development for Communities (SDC) Foundation, Anoop Nautiyal who is actively participating in the campaign to save the trees told The Pioneer that the government should immediately order a complete ban on the felling of the trees. “I take the CM’s initiative with a pinch of salt. They have only suspended and not halted the felling of trees. The government should also withdraw all the cases filed against the people who participated in the movement within 72 hours. It is sad that the decision of the CM came at a time when more than 800 trees have already been cut,’’ he said.

 Govt’s decision propelled by Rahul Gandhi’s intervention: Dasauni

DEHRADUN: The chief spokesperson of Uttarakhand Congress Garima Dasauni has claimed that the assurance given by the leader of opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi to the activists protesting rampant felling of trees near Sat Mod area on Dehradun-Rishikesh road that he will raise the issue in the parliament has forced the State government to order suspension of cutting of trees for the project. She said that the convoy of Gandhi was stopped by the people while he was on his way from Jolly Grant to Dehradun to attend his dialogue with youngsters programme on Friday. Dasauni said that the people were informed about the futility of the tree felling exercise, the environmental damage and brutalities on the protesters to Gandhi. She claimed that the episode proves that the BJP is afraid of Rahul Gandhi.