4-lane Rishikesh bypass to fell 3,995 trees in Shivalik Elephant Reserve

Dehradun: Even as residents of Dehradun prepare to oppose the felling of around 4,000 trees for the widening of the Bhaniyawala-Rishikesh highway, another road project threatens to remove almost as many trees from the ecologically sensitive Shivalik Elephant Reserve.

The proposed four-lane Rishikesh bypass, which will connect the Teenpani flyover to Kharasrote bridge via Bhattowala and Dhalwala villages, is expected to require the felling of 3,995 trees and the diversion of around 46 hectares of reserved forest in Dehradun and Narendra Nagar forest divisions.Forest officials said the project is yet to receive in-principle approval from the Union environment ministry. According to the project proposal, the four-lane bypass is intended to ease congestion in Rishikesh by facilitating the “controlled free movement” of traffic from Dehradun and Haridwar, improving connectivity to the Char Dham routes, and reducing travel time, fuel consumption and congestion for pilgrims and other tourists.To compensate for the forest diversion, authorities have identified nearly 99 hectares of degraded forest land in the Narendra Nagar Forest Division for compensatory afforestation. Officials also said mature trees with a girth of over 20 cm are being assessed for translocation wherever feasible.The proposed diversion will affect forests in Thano Reserved Forest, Muni ki Reti I and IV, Gola Tappar, Chandana II and Bibiwala.

Trees marked for felling include fruit-bearing species such as jamun as well as ecologically significant species like teak (sagwan) and amaltas, officials said.“Near Nepali Farm, traffic from Dehradun and Haridwar slows considerably, and there is also a railway crossing. This four-lane bypass will provide a direct link for Char Dham pilgrims and other tourists to Narendra Nagar,” said Dehradun divisional forest officer Neeraj Sharma.He added, “We are yet to receive in-principle approval from the ministry. Work will commence only after the necessary clearances are granted.”The forest land proposed for diversion forms part of the Shivalik Elephant Reserve, a crucial habitat for elephants, tigers, leopards and several other wildlife species. Conservationists have cautioned that road projects in such landscapes can fragment habitats, disrupt wildlife movement and increase the risk of human-animal conflict.