In early 2025 a series of protests erupted in Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Delhi against large‑scale tree removal for roads, malls and infrastructure projects. Activists invoke the historic Chipko Movement, demand stricter enforcement of the NGT, and question the efficacy of compensatory afforestation. The protests highlight the ecological, climatic and livelihood impacts of indiscriminate tree felling.
Key Developments
- March 2025: Over 4,400 trees slated for removal to widen the Dehradun‑Rishikesh road trigger a funeral‑themed protest in Dehradun’s Parade Ground.
- 2025‑2026: Citizens of Jaipur form the ‘Dol Ka Badh’ movement against the felling of ~600 trees for a mall near the airport.
- 2025: The Pune bench of the NGT stays the cutting of 5,000 trees in Maharashtra for the Simhastha Kumbh Mela project.
- 2023: The NGT rules in favour of the ‘Nature Lovers of Hyderabad’, saving thousands of ancient banyans slated for road widening.
- May 10 2026: 673.32 ha of Delhi’s Ridge declared a ‘reserved forest’, though the government plans to plant non‑native species.
Important Facts
According to a recent RTI, 83,000 trees (including sal, haldu, khair, shisham, jamun and banyan) were cut in Uttarakhand over the past five years, many over 200 years old. Experts note that these figures exclude saplings, shrubs and grasses, under‑representing the true loss. Avenue trees such as peepal, neem and banyan also provide cultural and livelihood benefits. Their removal aggravates the urban heat island effect, especially in hill stations like Dehradun and Mussoorie.
Exam Relevance
These events illustrate the intersection of environmental governance, federal‑state coordination and sustainable development—core topics for GS III (Environment) and GS II (Polity). Aspirants should analyse: (i) the legal framework (Forest Conservation Act, 1980; NGT judgments); (ii) the efficacy of policy tools such as compensatory afforestation versus in‑situ conservation; and (iii) the socio‑economic dimensions of forest‑dependent communities, tourism, and urban planning.
Way Forward
Policy recommendations include: strengthening community‑forest partnerships, mandating ecological impact assessments that factor in urban heat island effect; ensuring that any afforestation uses native species proven to thrive in the local ecosystem; and expanding the jurisdiction of the NGT to expedite enforcement. Continued citizen mobilisation, as seen in the Chipko‑style protests, remains vital for holding governments accountable and preserving India’s green heritage.