Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has ordered an immediate suspension of tree felling for the proposed Dehradun-Rishikesh four/six-lane highway project following widespread protests by environmentalists, local residents, students and civil society groups.
In a statement posted on X, the Chief Minister said he had taken “serious note” of the concerns raised over the project and directed the Chief Secretary and senior officials to begin fresh consultations with all stakeholders before any further action is taken.
While reiterating that the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) project has received statutory and environmental approvals and is being implemented in line with the Uttarakhand High Court’s directions, Dhami stressed that development cannot come at the expense of public trust, environmental protection or local interests.
He announced that tree felling would remain suspended until “a satisfactory atmosphere of consensus and trust” is established. The decision comes after nearly a week of peaceful demonstrations, during which protesters hugged trees in a symbolic revival of Uttarakhand’s historic Chipko movement, demanding that the ecological impact of the highway expansion be reconsidered.
Balancing Development And Ecology
The proposed widening of the Bhaniyawala Jolly Grant Rishikesh section of National Highway-7 has emerged as one of Uttarakhand’s most closely watched infrastructure projects, with the government arguing that it will significantly improve connectivity between Dehradun, Jolly Grant Airport and Rishikesh while easing congestion and supporting tourism, pilgrimage and emergency services.
The approximately 20-kilometre corridor, estimated to cost around ₹743 crore, is being implemented by NHAI under the Hybrid Annuity Model. Official documents indicate that around 4,369 trees may be affected during the project, although protest groups have frequently cited a figure of around 3,000 trees, reflecting differences in the stages or components being referred to.
Before the suspension was announced, reports suggested that nearly 400 trees had already been felled. Defending the project, the Chief Minister emphasised that wildlife conservation measures have been incorporated into its design, including an approximately 3.5-kilometre elephant underpass system, dedicated wildlife culverts for smaller animals and other mitigation measures intended to reduce road accidents involving wildlife and minimise human-animal conflict.
“Development is essential for us, but no decision will be taken while ignoring public sentiments, the environment and local interests,” Dhami said, adding that “Uttarakhand’s nature, public sentiments and the state’s development all three are equally important.”
He further directed officials to hold detailed discussions with citizens, environmental experts, public representatives and local communities before resuming any work involving tree felling, while ensuring that all future proceedings continue to respect the directions of the Uttarakhand High Court.
Public Protests Spark Review
The Chief Minister’s announcement follows growing public resistance to the highway expansion, particularly over its potential impact on forested areas adjoining the Rajaji Tiger Reserve and important elephant corridors.
Environmentalists argue that mature forests cannot simply be replaced through compensatory plantations and warn that widening the road could fragment wildlife habitats, increase roadkill and weaken the ecological resilience of one of northern India’s most sensitive landscapes.
Over the past week, residents, students, activists and retired officials organised peaceful protests along the affected stretch, with many embracing trees in scenes widely compared to the Chipko movement that originated in Uttarakhand during the 1970s.
Videos and photographs of these demonstrations circulated extensively on social media, bringing national attention to the issue and prompting calls for alternative alignments, greater transparency in environmental assessments and more meaningful public consultation.
The legal backdrop has also shaped the debate. Earlier this month, the Uttarakhand High Court dismissed a contempt petition alleging violations linked to the project, observing that there was no existing stay on tree felling and that NHAI had acted within the framework of previous court directions and statutory approvals.
Dhami’s latest decision does not overturn those judicial findings; instead, it represents an administrative pause intended to facilitate wider dialogue while maintaining compliance with the court’s orders. Many environmental groups have welcomed the suspension as a positive first step but continue to demand an independent ecological review and stronger safeguards before work resumes.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The debate surrounding the Dehradun–Rishikesh highway reflects a challenge faced not only by Uttarakhand but by many regions balancing economic aspirations with ecological responsibility. Better roads, improved connectivity and modern infrastructure are undeniably important for public welfare, especially in a state that depends heavily on tourism, pilgrimage and disaster response.
At the same time, forests, wildlife corridors and biodiversity are invaluable public assets that cannot easily be restored once lost. The Chief Minister’s decision to pause tree felling and reopen dialogue acknowledges that sustainable development requires more than legal approvals it also depends on public trust, scientific evidence and meaningful participation by affected communities.
