Dehradun: In a significant display of public dissent, thousands of residents, including senior citizens, activists, and students, converged at Dilaram Chowk on Rajpur Road in Dehradun on Sunday morning. The protest, a two-kilometre march, was organised against the rampant felling of trees for infrastructure projects, specifically targeting the government’s recent proposal to widen the stretch leading to the Chief Minister’s residence on New Cantt Road.
The project, which involved the axing of approximately 240 trees, including a venerable 250-year-old tree, had sparked considerable public outrage. In the days leading up to the protest, momentum had been building through online appeals and campaigns advocating for the preservation of Dehradun’s green cover.
The protest witnessed an unprecedented turnout, reflecting the deep-rooted environmental consciousness among the city’s residents. Following the conclusion of the march, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami announced that the government had decided to halt the road-widening project. “The road is an important and busy route of the state capital, and the plan was to make it a four-lane one as traffic holdovers are witnessed on a frequent basis. However, we do not want to hurt people’s sentiments, so a call has been taken to withdraw the project,” he told the media.
The proposed project aimed to alleviate traffic congestion on the crucial route leading to the CM’s residence by expanding it into a four-lane road. However, the plan faced strong opposition due to the significant environmental cost, prompting citizens to take a stand. The protest was not only a demonstration against tree felling but also a broader call for sustainable development practices that do not compromise the city’s ecological balance.
Activists emphasised the need for alternative solutions to traffic management that do not involve large-scale deforestation. “This protest is not just about saving these trees; it is about protecting our environment and advocating for a more sustainable approach to urban development,” said an activist participating in the march.
The Chief Minister’s decision to cancel the road-widening project was seen as a victory for the environmental movement in Dehradun. It underscored the power of public mobilisation and the importance of incorporating community sentiments into government planning.
The event has set a precedent for future infrastructure projects in the state capital, highlighting the necessity for a balanced approach that respects both developmental needs and environmental conservation. As the city continues to grow, the challenge will be to find innovative solutions that address infrastructure demands while preserving the natural heritage that defines Dehradun.
The protest and its outcome serve as a reminder of the critical role that citizen engagement plays in shaping public policy and ensuring that development does not come at the expense of the environment.
