Dehradun: The Uttarakhand forest department has cleared diversion of 17.50 hectares of forest land for an 8.70-kilometre road stretch in the Bhagirathi Eco-Sensitive Zone. The approval, granted to the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), comes just three weeks after the devastating Dharali flash floods on August 5, barely 70 kilometres upstream.
Approval for Strategic Char Dham Route
The road segment from Hina to Tekhla in Uttarkashi is part of the Char Dham route expansion. Officials justified the clearance citing the route’s strategic importance. “It is a strategic route and hence the state government has given its nod to the stretch,” said Ranjan Mishra, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Uttarakhand.
Conflict with Expert Recommendations
Environmentalists expressed concern over increased disaster vulnerability in the fragile Himalayan zone. The project contravenes the recommendations of the Supreme Court-appointed High Powered Committee (HPC) on the Char Dham project.
The committee, chaired by Ravi Chopra, recommended dropping the bypass citing geological risks. Its 2020 report stated the existing alignment’s infirmities could be rectified, and local stakeholders opposed the bypass.
Divided Committee Findings
The 26-member HPC was divided in its assessment. Five members, including Chopra, warned of “irreversible damage” to Himalayan ecology. However, 21 members submitted a separate report, supporting the project and suggesting ecological damage could be minimised. While the majority favoured a 10-metre-wide road, the chairman and three others advocated a 5.5-metre width.
Concerns Over Netala Bypass
Independent experts highlighted that the new construction, known as the Netala bypass, cuts through pristine forests on old landslide deposits. Geologist Navin Juyal and expert Hemant Dhyani flagged risks of slope instability and subsidence if the road is dug through fragile deposits.
“This is a very vulnerable area because of loss of pristine forests involved,” an expert noted.
Local Anxiety After Recent Disasters
Residents in Uttarkashi remain alarmed. “At the moment, people are very worried. They have not overcome the horror of the Dharali flash floods,” said municipal ward head American Puri. Several local leaders have appealed to the Centre to defer the clearance.
Strategic Pressure Behind Approval
Despite environmental warnings, the project’s strategic significance prevailed. The road forms part of a crucial corridor connecting to the India-China border. Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari earlier told Parliament that the final 150-kilometre stretch through the Bhagirathi Eco-Sensitive Zone must maintain a 10-metre width to allow defence equipment movement.
