Plans for two major road projects have put one of Uttarakhand's most vital wildlife habitats under severe threat. Authorities have proposed the felling of nearly 6,300 trees within the core zone of the Rajaji Tiger Reserve (RTR), triggering serious concerns among forest officials about irreversible damage to the ecosystem.
Two Projects, One Fragile Habitat
The proposals, spearheaded by the state's Public Works Department (PWD), involve constructing a new road and widening an existing one, both cutting through the reserve's protected heart. The first project is a 7-kilometer Ganga Bhogpur–Vindhyavasini road proposed through the Gohri range. Officials estimate this alone would require the removal of at least 2,500 mature trees, including ecologically significant species like rohini, amaltas (a key elephant fodder), kanju, and sal.
"The project has been proposed following public demand," stated Nirbhay Singh, a PWD official based in Dugada. However, a senior Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer from the forest headquarters, speaking on condition of anonymity, warned of dire consequences. "The proposed road cuts through a prime wildlife habitat and will disrupt the natural movement of elephants, tigers, and other animals that cross the area to access water from the Ganga," the officer said, adding that it would also increase exposure to poaching in an area increasingly surrounded by human settlements.
Widening an Old Corridor: A Second Blow
The second proposal concerns the Jagmohan Singh Negi Motorway. It aims to widen an existing road from 7 meters to 12 meters along a 28-kilometer stretch between Pashulok and Neelkanth. Although the land was transferred to the PWD in the 1980s, the road was deliberately kept narrow due to minimal traffic at the time. The current expansion plan is set to axe an additional 3,000 trees, again within the core zone of the Gohri range. Forest officials caution that this widening will further fragment the habitat and escalate vehicular disturbance in an already sensitive landscape.
High Stakes for a Critical Ecosystem
The stakes are exceptionally high. Rajaji Tiger Reserve is home to over 50 tigers, approximately 300 elephants, and numerous prey species. The core zone is meant to be an inviolate space for wildlife, and such large-scale infrastructure intrusion undermines its very purpose. The fragmentation caused by roads can isolate animal populations, hinder genetic exchange, and lead to increased roadkill.
When contacted, RTR director Koko Rose confirmed that the proposals are under review. "Both projects were placed before the last State Board for Wildlife meeting and have been referred to the Wildlife Institute of India for a scientific assessment," Rose said, declining to share further details as the matters are at a preliminary stage. This referral indicates that the final decision will hinge on a detailed study of the potential ecological impact.
The situation presents a classic conflict between developmental demands for connectivity and the imperative of conserving a critical tiger and elephant habitat. The coming weeks will reveal whether the scientific assessment prioritizes the uncharted jungle paths of wildlife or paves new roads through them.
