Residents of Dehradun are sounding the alarm as the city grapples with dangerously high pollution levels, recording an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 316 on Thursday. This environmental crisis has been exacerbated by the ongoing, large-scale felling of trees for the construction of the new Asharodi-Jhajra four-lane bypass highway. The project is part of the extended road network linking to the Delhi-Dehradun expressway, but locals fear the cost to the valley's green cover is far too high.
Ecological Loss and Activist Anger
Environmental groups and citizens have repeatedly voiced their distress over the ecological damage caused by such infrastructure development. Himanshu Arora, a member of the activist organization Citizens for Green Doon, expressed the community's frustration. "We began the new year with severe air quality, and now tree cutting for another highway is in full swing," he said. Arora highlighted that the Mohand region has already sacrificed a significant portion of its greenery for the expressway, and the new bypass road is claiming what remains.
Activists point to several videos circulating on social media that reveal the sheer scale of deforestation at the work site. One widely shared YouTube video purportedly shows hundreds of tree stumps in the Mohand area. The video carries a stark warning: "In less than a day, hundreds of trees were felled. Dehradun, prepare for a brutal summer; whatever trees are still standing are also being cut down."
A Bleak Future Without Green Barriers
The concerns extend beyond immediate air quality. Young environmentalists and experts warn of long-term climatic consequences for the Doon valley. Vasu Khanna, an environmentalist who visited the site, explained the critical role of the Mohand forests. "These forests have historically shielded us from the harsh summer loo winds and helped mitigate rising pollution levels. If this final natural barrier is removed, the valley will experience scorching summer temperatures," Khanna stated. He lamented the indiscriminate construction of bypasses at the expense of ecology, painting a bleak picture for the region's future.
Reports of tree felling are not confined to the Mohand site; similar activity has been observed in the Chandrabani area as well. In response to the widespread destruction, eco-activists in Dehradun have announced plans to organize a public agitation against the project soon.
The Project and Official Silence
The highway project is being undertaken by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). While senior officials from the authority were unavailable for comment, a source familiar with the project provided details. According to the source, work on this two-year project began in April last year and is scheduled for completion next year.
The situation presents a stark conflict between infrastructure development and environmental preservation. As Dehradun's AQI continues to hover in the 'very poor' category, the loss of its vital tree cover raises urgent questions about the sustainability of current development models and the health of the city's residents.
