Dehradun: The Uttarakhand government has approved the widening of a 20.6-kilometre stretch of road under the Char Dham project, a move that has reignited environmental debates in the state. The project, which falls within the ecologically sensitive Bhagirathi Eco-Sensitive Zone, involves the expansion of the road connecting Bhaironghat to Jhala villages in Uttarkashi district, known as “package 1” of the broader Char Dham initiative.

According to official communication from the Uttarakhand Head of Forest Forces (HoFF), the widening will require diversion of nearly 41.92 hectares of forest land, which includes several Deodar trees, one of the region’s iconic species. The HoFF’s letter, dated November 12, stated that the project has been deemed “strategically important for national security,” allowing it to be treated under section 1A, sub-section (2)(c) of the Forest (Conservation and Augmentation) Act, 1980, as amended in 2023. This provision exempts certain strategic linear projects—within 100 kilometres of international borders or conflict-sensitive lines—from formal forest clearance procedures.

A senior official involved in the approval process, speaking on the condition of anonymity, explained, “If a project is declared strategic by the Ministry of Defence or the Ministry of Home Affairs, the state has the authority to approve diversion of forest land. Since this stretch falls in the Bhagirathi Eco-Sensitive Zone, it also came under review by a monitoring committee constituted by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC). After deliberations, the project received approval at both state and federal levels.”

Despite the government’s clearance, environmental groups have strongly opposed the project, citing deforestation, landslides, and ecological disruption as key concerns. To protest the widening, local activists and environmental organisations have organised a yatra from Delhi and Rishikesh to Uttarkashi, Bhaironghati, and Harsil on Saturday. Public gatherings along the route are planned to raise awareness about the potential environmental impact of the road expansion.

Ayush Joshi of the Uttarakhand-based environmental organisation Ganga Ahvaan, one of the organisers, explained that participants will symbolically tie Raksha Sutras around Deodar trees that are earmarked for felling. “A group of around 60 to 100 people will assemble at Harsil to perform this symbolic act, demonstrating our resolve to protect these precious trees,” he said. Notable political and social figures are expected to participate virtually or in person, including former Union ministers Murli Manohar Joshi and Karan Singh. Krishna Gopal, a senior RSS leader, has also extended support, and Gopal Arya, head of the environment wing of RSS, will attend the gathering physically along with other karyakartas.

This latest approval comes against the backdrop of a 2021 Supreme Court ruling that permitted the widening of several sections of the Char Dham route to a double-lane with paved shoulder (DL-PS) standard, citing national security and strategic mobility as critical considerations. In September, HT reported that former Union ministers Karan Singh and Murli Manohar Joshi, along with several signatories, had petitioned the Supreme Court to reconsider that ruling.

Their appeal emphasised that the expansion of roads to 12 metres in ecologically fragile areas had already triggered landslides and sinking zones. The petition highlighted the potential for “irreparable and immediate impact” on the Bhagirathi Eco-Sensitive Zone, which is not only the origin valley of the Ganga but also a site recently affected by the Dharali disaster. The petitioners urged that any future infrastructure development be guided by disaster-resilient and climate-sensitive principles to protect both lives and livelihoods while maintaining the strategic utility of the route.

The Char Dham project, aimed at improving connectivity to the four pilgrimage sites of Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath, has long been lauded for its role in enhancing accessibility for devotees and strengthening strategic movement for defence forces. Proponents argue that widening roads is essential for year-round mobility, disaster response, and boosting tourism in the high-altitude region.

However, environmentalists and local communities have consistently raised concerns about the balance between development and ecological preservation. The Bhagirathi Eco-Sensitive Zone is home to unique biodiversity, steep slopes, and fragile terrain that can easily be destabilised by large-scale construction. Critics warn that aggressive road widening could exacerbate soil erosion, increase landslide risk, and permanently alter local water systems.

The ongoing debate over the Char Dham project reflects a broader tension in Uttarakhand between development, national security, and environmental sustainability. While state authorities maintain that the project is crucial for strategic and developmental reasons, environmental groups have vowed continued resistance, asserting that any infrastructure plan in the ecologically sensitive region must be carefully calibrated to avoid long-term damage.

As protests are expected to unfold over the coming weekend, both sides remain steadfast in their positions. With political, social, and environmental voices converging on the issue, the Char Dham project’s next phase promises to be closely watched—not just for the engineering and strategic challenges it presents, but for its implications on the ecological future of Uttarakhand’s fragile Himalayan ecosystem.