Uttarakhand Halts Rishikesh Highway Tree Felling After Days of Protests
CM Dhami Orders a Pause to Save Shivalik Forests
Uttrakhand | July 18, 2026 : Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami stopped tree felling on the Bhaniyawala-Rishikesh highway project on Saturday. He acted after weeks of protests by local people and environmentalists. The move gives both sides time to talk and find common ground.
The order came just days after residents marked a “Black Harela” in protest. They chose this dark version of the state’s own tree festival to show their anger. It was a bold and symbolic act.
What Sparked the Protests
The Bhaniyawala-Rishikesh highway tree felling plan covers a 20-km stretch through the Shivalik hills. This road links Dehradun, Jolly Grant Airport, and Rishikesh. It also passes near the Rajaji Tiger Reserve, home to elephants and other wildlife.
Officials plan to cut 3,605 trees for this project. They also plan to transplant 754 trees to new spots. Critics say this scale of felling could harm sal forests, dry up groundwater, and block a key elephant corridor. Many locals also fear the loss of shade and cooler air in their villages.
Why the Road Needs Widening
The current two-lane road carries about 18,500 vehicles every day. Traffic often piles up at a winding section called Saat Mod, or Saat Morh. This spot has seen many accidents over the years.
The National Highways Authority of India, or NHAI, wants to turn this stretch into a four or six-lane highway. The project costs around ₹743 crore. NHAI says the design now includes several wildlife safety features and holds all required environmental approvals.
Voices From the Ground
Students, environmentalists, and civil society groups gathered along the highway route in the days before Dhami’s announcement. Many held signs and marched together. They asked for one thing: save the trees before it is too late.
Former Congress MP Sandeep Dikshit also wrote a public letter to the Chief Minister. He called Saat Mod an ecologically sensitive zone. He asked the government to use modern engineering methods instead of clearing forest land. He linked the fight to Uttarakhand’s history, including the famous Chipko Movement, where villagers once hugged trees to stop loggers.
The Legal Angle
A Supreme Court hearing on this case is also on the horizon. Judges will decide whether felling can continue while the legal challenge moves forward. This makes the Rishikesh highway tree felling issue one of the most closely watched infrastructure disputes in India right now.
Dhami’s Message to the Public
The Chief Minister shared his decision on social media platform X. He said he had taken serious note of concerns raised by citizens, environmental groups, and local residents. He called the highway project an important initiative but stressed that public sentiment matters too.
Dhami directed the Chief Secretary and other officials to restart talks with all stakeholders. This includes local citizens, public representatives, and subject experts. He wants every voice heard before any final call gets made.
He also noted that earlier work followed High Court directions and all required statutory clearances. Still, he chose dialogue over a rushed rollout. Development matters, he said, but not at the cost of local trust and a fragile hill ecosystem.
Balancing Growth and Green Cover
This case shows a common struggle across the Himalayan states. Roads bring jobs, tourism, and faster travel for pilgrims heading to the Char Dham shrines. Yet the same hills hold rare forests, wild elephants, and fresh water sources that took decades to grow.
Uttarakhand has watched this tension before. The Chipko Movement started right here, decades ago, and it changed how India thinks about forest rights. Today’s protest over the Rishikesh highway tree felling plan carries that same spirit forward.
What Happens Next
Fresh talks between the government and local groups should start soon. Officials will likely look at ways to protect more trees while still fixing the dangerous curves at Saat Mod. A Supreme Court ruling could also shape the final outcome.
For now, the paused project gives Uttarakhand’s forests, and its people, a chance to be heard.
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