By Shishir Prashant 
PrashantNews
Dehradun: In a major relief to environmentalists and local residents protesting against the felling of trees for the Rishikesh-Bhanyawala highway project, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Saturday announced that the cutting of trees under the project has been put on hold until a broader consensus is reached among all stakeholders.
Taking cognisance of the concerns raised by citizens, environmentalists and local residents over the past few days, Dhami said development was essential but could not come at the cost of public sentiments, environmental conservation and local interests.
Significantly, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday night assured protesters opposing the felling of trees at Saat Mor that he would raise the issue in Parliament. After attending the ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ programme in Dehradun, Gandhi was stopped by protesters. The demonstrators urged him to become their voice in the fight to protect the trees and the sensitive elephant corridor. Responding to their appeal, the Congress leader assured them that he would take up the matter in Parliament.
The Chief Minister said the Rishikesh-Bhanyawala project is an important infrastructure initiative being implemented by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) in compliance with the directions of the Uttarakhand High Court and after obtaining all statutory and environmental clearances.
He noted that the project also incorporates several wildlife mitigation measures, including a 3.5-km-long elephant underpass and specially designed culverts for the movement of smaller wild animals. These measures, he said, are aimed at reducing human-wildlife conflict and preventing road accidents involving wild animals, which are frequent along the existing highway passing through the Rajaji landscape.
However, acknowledging the widespread public concern over the proposed felling of 3000-4000 trees, Dhami said he has directed the Chief Secretary and other senior officials to initiate a fresh round of consultations with all stakeholders, including local residents, public representatives, environmental experts and other concerned groups.
“Development is necessary, but no decision will be taken by ignoring public sentiments, environmental concerns or local interests,” the Chief Minister said.
He added that while the state government would continue to honour and comply with the directions of the High Court, the felling of trees for the project would remain suspended until a satisfactory atmosphere of consensus and confidence is created among all stakeholders.
The announcement comes after days of sustained protests by environmentalists, students and local citizens, who have opposed the cutting of nearly 3,000 trees in the Rajaji National Park’s sensitive elephant corridor. Protesters have argued that the project would cause irreversible ecological damage and threaten wildlife movement in one of Uttarakhand’s most important forest landscapes.
Reacting to the move, Anoop Nautiyal, an environmentalist, welcomed the decision and congratulated all the people who supported the agitation against the tree felling.
Dhami reiterated that his government remains committed to balancing development with environmental protection and public aspirations, adding that future decisions on the project would be guided by dialogue, consensus and the larger public interest.