Dehradun: 2000 trees to be cut in Khalanga forest for a reservoir

The government has planned to cut down 2000 trees in the Khalanga forest to build a reservoir and address the Dehradun water crisis. Locals have expressed concerns over this move.

According to the Times of India report, residents have expressed their discontent over the proposed tree felling, with objections being raised via email as the tender for the Song Dam drinking project is set to be opened. Activists are particularly critical, citing ongoing climate challenges such as wildfires and urging authorities to reconsider the plan.

“While our state is battling against wildfires due to climate adversity, the plan to cut down 2,000 trees from reserve forests requires serious rethinking,” said one of the activists who is campaigning against the proposed move.

The construction project entails building a 130.6-meter-high concrete gravity dam and related works, with an estimated cost of Rs 1,306 crore, to be completed within a timeframe of 60 months. Following objections from residents, representatives from Dehradun are scheduled to meet with state government officials to address the grievances regarding tree felling.

Protests

Colonel Vikram Thapa (retd), president of Bal Bhadra Khalanga Vikas Samiti, expressed that the government should opt for barren land instead of encroaching on reserve forests. Originally proposed for the Kulhan Mansingh area, the site was later shifted to Khalanga. Thapa warned against the potentially disastrous consequences of indiscriminate tree felling.

This evening in #Khalanga #Dehradun. Expressing solidarity against proposed cutting of 2000 trees in reserved forest for water project. All efforts should be made to conserve green cover; concretisation, deforestation & environmental degradation have cost #Uttarakhand dear! pic.twitter.com/annOE8NOSI

— Anoop Nautiyal (@Anoopnautiyal1) May 12, 2024

During the protests, various groups advocated for alternate solutions. They symbolically tied 'Rakshasutra' onto marked trees, pledging to safeguard each one. Organizations like Nature Buddies, Citizens for Green Doon, Balbhadra Vikas Samiti, Toy Foundation, Proud Pahadi, and Pahadi Peddlers participated in the demonstration.

The construction of the Delhi-Dehradun Expressway, aimed at improving connectivity between Dehradun and Delhi, resulted in the felling of over 7,500 trees along a 16-km section. Approximately 4,983 trees were in Uttarakhand, while 2,592 were in Uttar Pradesh. To compensate for the loss, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) plans to plant over 1.76 lakh trees through afforestation efforts. The 212-km expressway project, costing Rs 12,000 crore, has faced strong opposition from Doon residents.

Colonel Vikram Thapa (retd) proposed an alternative solution, suggesting that a water reservoir could be constructed in Dwara village. He said, 

“The government is planning to construct a water reservoir by getting water from Song Dam. We have suggested that a similar arrangement could be made at Dwara village, which has open barren land and has faced acute water shortages for a long time. Cutting trees from deep forests is not a welcome move.”

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