How many to cut? Controversy and opposition grow over tree felling to widen Uttarakhand’s Gangotri Highway

Published on : 13 Dec 2025, 10:52 am Listen to this article

Controversy and opposition are growing about plans to fell 6,800 trees for widening the Gangotri National Highway in Uttarakhand. A new proposal from the state forest department proposes to relocate 4,366 trees and cut the remaining 2,456. Meanwhile, the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has cast further doubt on the entire plan by stating that only 1,400 trees are planned to be felled.

Raj Kishore, Commandant Engineer, BRO, Uttarkashi, told Down To Earth ( DTE ), “The highway will be widened by 11 metres. We are identifying corridors where the highway can be extended towards the river, and the mountain needs to be cut to the minimum. The plan covers 1,400 trees, including pine and other species. The earlier plan include