Decision makers:
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami,
PCCF (HoFF), Uttarakhand, Dehradun Dr. Dhananjai Mohan
PCCF/CWLW, Uttarakhand, Dehradun Dr. Samir Sinha
Demands:
Reconsider the proposal to fell 2000 trees in a reserved forest
Oppose plans to construct the reservoir within the premises of the forest
Consider construction of reservoir in Dwara village
It’s been a tumultuous few months for the state of Uttarakhand: wildfires have ravaged thousands of hectares of pristine forests and flash floods have devastated numerous lives and livelihoods.
Amidst the crisis, the state government has proposed to chop approximately 2000 trees in Dehradun’s Khalanga Forest. The Khalanga Forest is a reserved forest in the heart of the city! It boasts of several species of trees, some of which are centuries old. The forest serves as a major green lung for the city.
What’s the issue?
The government has marked approximately 2000 trees to be cut in the reserved forest, Khalanga, to build a reservoir to meet the city’s water needs. A reserved forest is land which is restricted and preserved by the government as wilderness. The reservoir, they claim, will help channel water to those areas that face water scarcity. The water will be taken from the Song dam, located on the Song river in Dehradun district. The tender for the Song dam drinking water project is expected to be opened shortly and citizens are sending in their objections via email.
Many local activists have taken to the streets, including holding protests in the reserved forest, urging the government to reconsider the plans. They are, instead, recommending alternatives such as constructing the water reservoir in Dwara village, which has plenty of barren land that can be utilised for this purpose. The village also faces acute water shortages and the reservoir would help alleviate those woes.
The construction, estimated at Rs 1,306 crore, entails building a 130.6-meter-high concrete gravity dam and is slated to be completed within 60 months.
We’re urging the government of Uttarakhand to make every effort to preserve green cover. Uttarakhand is facing the brunt of weather extremities and further felling of trees could worsen the impact! Join the movement to save Dehradun’s Khalanga Forest.
Sources:
Dehradun: 2000 trees will be cut in Khalanga forest to make a reservoir -Ground report
Locals object govt’s plan to fell 2k trees in Khalanga forest -Times of India
P.S. Extreme events like wildfires, heatwaves and flash floods have become commonplace in Uttarakhand. We must take every effort to protect Uttarakhand’s green cover- if we want to save the future. The trees serve as protectors of its lush landscapes and of life. Join us in our efforts to save Uttarakhand! Support Us by donating on this link.
Decision makers:
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami,
PCCF (HoFF), Uttarakhand, Dehradun Dr. Dhananjai Mohan
PCCF/CWLW, Uttarakhand, Dehradun Dr. Samir Sinha
Demands:
Reconsider the proposal to fell 2000 trees in a reserved forest
Oppose plans to construct the reservoir within the premises of the forest
Consider construction of reservoir in Dwara village
It’s been a tumultuous few months for the state of Uttarakhand: wildfires have ravaged thousands of hectares of pristine forests and flash floods have devastated numerous lives and livelihoods.
Amidst the crisis, the state government has proposed to chop approximately 2000 trees in Dehradun’s Khalanga Forest. The Khalanga Forest is a reserved forest in the heart of the city! It boasts of several species of trees, some of which are centuries old. The forest serves as a major green lung for the city.
What’s the issue?
The government has marked approximately 2000 trees to be cut in the reserved forest, Khalanga, to build a reservoir to meet the city’s water needs. A reserved forest is land which is restricted and preserved by the government as wilderness. The reservoir, they claim, will help channel water to those areas that face water scarcity. The water will be taken from the Song dam, located on the Song river in Dehradun district. The tender for the Song dam drinking water project is expected to be opened shortly and citizens are sending in their objections via email.
Many local activists have taken to the streets, including holding protests in the reserved forest, urging the government to reconsider the plans. They are, instead, recommending alternatives such as constructing the water reservoir in Dwara village, which has plenty of barren land that can be utilised for this purpose. The village also faces acute water shortages and the reservoir would help alleviate those woes.
The construction, estimated at Rs 1,306 crore, entails building a 130.6-meter-high concrete gravity dam and is slated to be completed within 60 months.
We’re urging the government of Uttarakhand to make every effort to preserve green cover. Uttarakhand is facing the brunt of weather extremities and further felling of trees could worsen the impact! Join the movement to save Dehradun’s Khalanga Forest.
Sources:
Dehradun: 2000 trees will be cut in Khalanga forest to make a reservoir -Ground report
Locals object govt’s plan to fell 2k trees in Khalanga forest -Times of India
P.S. Extreme events like wildfires, heatwaves and flash floods have become commonplace in Uttarakhand. We must take every effort to protect Uttarakhand’s green cover- if we want to save the future. The trees serve as protectors of its lush landscapes and of life. Join us in our efforts to save Uttarakhand! Support Us by donating on this link.