Over 83k trees cut by NHAI in U’khand for infra projects: RTI

Dehradun: Over 83,000 trees have been felled by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) for various infrastructure projects in Uttarakhand in the past five years, according to information obtained by a Noida-based RTI activist.Of the total cleared trees, 45,681 were cut for Kashipur-Sitarganj section of NH-74 and 15,257 for Rampur-Kathgodam section of NH-87. The RTI reveals that in lieu of clearing, trees were also planted, with the department claiming that all of them survived. Plantation figures for projects like Rudrapur or Kashipur bypass remained unavailable due to the ongoing status."Regulations under CAMPA (Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority) are clear that the number of trees planted should be 10 times the number of trees felled. If 84,000 trees are cleared, more than 8 lakh trees should be planted," said Ashish Garg, a Doon-based environmentalist. Data for several other projects like Bhaniyawala-Rishikesh road widening was not included in the RTI.The RTI also reveals that, so far, NHAI deposited Rs 11.2 cr for compensatory afforestation of these projects. "As per available records, tree cutting is being carried out by the forest dept in respective regions. However, only 155 trees were transplanted in 2022 and seven in 2025. Of these 162, 139 survived, but a staggering Rs 82.7 lakh was deposited with the concerned forest dept for the same. That is a huge cost for transplantation," said Amit Gupta, RTI activist.These revelations come in light of eco-activists highlighting excessive tree felling in the state, which is impacting local ecology.Garg added: "For the govt, the go-to method of development is chopping trees. After massive public agitations, govt sometimes revised its initial proposals of chopping down 6,000 trees to 1,000 trees. There is always a better alternative available, provided we look for it. Then there are excuses of land unavailability for compensatory afforestation. If we chop less trees, we need less land to plant more. The regulations of compulsory plantation are also not being met. How can we retain our natural heritage with such a callous attitude?"