Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 08:50am on 16 Jul 2026,Thursday India
Hundreds of residents, students and environmental activists in Uttarakhand have launched protests against the proposed felling of nearly 3,000 trees for a road-widening project on the Bhaniyawala–Rishikesh stretch. Protesters hugged trees and raised slogans, drawing comparisons with the historic Chipko Movement. The forest area is part of an important elephant corridor, with activists warning that tree cutting could harm wildlife and the fragile ecosystem. Authorities said the project is being carried out with expert-recommended mitigation measures, while protesters continue demanding sustainable alternatives to protect the region's forests.
