New Delhi: In the heart of Uttarakhands capital, Dehradun, hundreds of dedicated environmentalists have taken significant strides in their battle to protect the citys green heritage. On a serene Sunday morning, citizens gathered at Dilaram Bazaar, ready to march towards Centrio Mall on Cantt Road. Their mission was to oppose the governments proposal to cut down thousands of trees in the name of development.Victories amidst struggleThe environmentalists efforts have not been in vain. Their protests have already led to two victories, yet they acknowledge that the larger battle to save Dehraduns trees continues.Saving Khalanga Reserve forestThe first major success came in the fight to protect over 2,000 trees in the Khalanga Reserve Forest. The government had planned to cut these trees to construct a reservoir for the Song Dam drinking water project. However, intense opposition from the environmentalists forced the Drinking Water Corporation to reconsider. The reservoir will now be built in Kanar Kata village, sparing the Khalanga trees. This victory was particularly sweet for the activists, who had also witnessed the loss of thousands of trees during the widening of Sahastradhara Road.Protecting trees on Cantt RoadThe second battle focused on saving 244 trees marked for cutting under a road widening proposal from Dilaram Chowk to the Chief Ministers residence. Despite Chief Minister Dhamis assurances to widen the road without cutting trees, skepticism remains among the activists, particularly with the alarming rise in Dehraduns summer temperatures.Watch the video here:उत्तराखंड : देहरादून में पेड़ बचाने के लिए आज हजारों लोग इकट्ठा हुए। पैदल मार्च निकाला। पुष्कर धामी सरकार से कहा कि डवलपमेंट के नाम पर 31750 पेड़ या तो कट चुके हैं या कटने की कगार पर हैं। इस पहाड़ी इलाके में इस बार तापमान 43 डिग्री तक पहुंचा है। साल-2030 में क्या होगा pic.twitter.com/AGD4Yfw6in— Sachin Gupta (@SachinGuptaUP) June 23, 2024Foot march of determinationOn this particular Sunday, the environmentalists resolve was palpable. They carried placards with slogans like Save Environment and Remove Concrete as they marched from Dilaram Bazaar to Centrio Mall. The march culminated in a public meeting where folk songs and passionate speeches reinforced their commitment. This is a long fight: Himanshu AroraHimanshu Arora, one of the leaders, emphasized the long road ahead. Despite recent successes, the proposal to cut around 40,000 trees for the road from Jhajra Asharodi to Paonta Sahib looms large. The environmentalists know that their fight is far from over and that continued vigilance and activism are crucial.
