Uttarakhand HC takes strict view of felling of trees for Rishikesh-Bhaniyawala four-lane road

Nainital, Dec 20 Taking a strict view of the felling of nearly 4,400 trees for the construction of the Rishikesh-Bhaniyawala four-lane road, the Uttarakhand High Court directed the state government, the Centre and the NHAI to hold a meeting and place their suggestions before the court.

During the hearing, the petitioner informed the court that, in accordance with the earlier directions issued by it, neither the trees have been transplanted, nor are the underpasses being constructed as per prescribed rules.

After hearing the matter, the division bench of Chief Justice G Narendar and Justice Subhash Upadhyay directed the state and central governments and the NHAI to hold a meeting on the matter and to resolve the issue, and place their suggestions before the court.

The court has fixed December 30 as the next date of hearing.

Dehradun resident Reenu Pal filed a PIL before the High Court, stating that more than 3,000 trees have been identified for felling for the widening of the road between Rishikesh and Bhaniyawala, which falls within the elephant corridor.

Due to this, the elephant corridor and other wild animals may be adversely affected, and their daily movement and routine could be disturbed, she said.

Earlier, following the intervention of the High Court, the Shivalik Elephant Reserve had been protected.