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6h ago

Uttarakhand Grants In‑Principle Forest Diversion for Netala Bypass in Bhagirathi Eco‑Sensitive Zone

The state used a defence‑linked exemption that leaves the route and other approvals to central authorities.

The Bhagirathi river after heavy rainfall in Chinyalisour, Uttarakhand, on August 6. (REUTERS)
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Overview

  • The Uttarakhand forest department issued a July 21 in‑principle nod to divert 17.5 hectares of forest for an 8.7‑km Hina–Tekhla bypass on the Char Dham route.
  • The clearance was processed under the Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam exemption after a 2024 Ministry of Defence declaration and MoEFCC direction.
  • Located within the Bhagirathi Eco‑Sensitive Zone, the proposal would require felling about 2,750 trees in largely undisturbed forest.
  • The Border Roads Organisation says the alignment is not final, with the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways to decide after review.
  • Experts and residents urged deferral following the August 5 Dharali floods, citing slope instability and reports of a collapse along the proposed line, while a Supreme Court panel in 2020 had recommended dropping the bypass.