Why ‘Raksha Sutra’ Is Being Tied to Trees in Uttarkashi: Protesters Oppose Cutting of 6,000 Trees for Char Dham Road Widening

Uttarkashi: A unique environmental protest unfolded in Uttarkashi where activists, environmentalists, and citizens from across the country gathered to tie ‘Raksha Sutra’ on trees. This symbolic act aims to protect thousands of trees marked to be cut for the Char Dham All-Weather Road widening project.

Participants from Delhi, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and other states assembled near Harsil under the ‘Himalaya Hai Toh Hum Hain’ campaign. They performed rituals, offered prayers to deodar trees, and tied sacred threads around their trunks, pledging to safeguard them from felling.

Over 6,000 Trees Marked for Cutting

Local groups revealed that more than 6,000 trees, many of them decades old, have been identified for removal as part of the widening project.

This public movement began after a joint appeal in September by senior leaders including Murli Manohar Joshi, veteran Congress leader Karan Singh, and over 50 civil society members. They urged the Supreme Court to reconsider its 2021 order allowing Himalayan roads under the Char Dham project to be widened beyond 5.5 meters on strategic grounds.

Warning of Irreversible Ecological Damage

Environmental groups warned that proceeding with the project without proper safeguards could cause irreversible damage to the Bhagirathi Eco-Sensitive Zone (BESZ)—the same region where a devastating incident occurred recently in Dharali.

In a memorandum sent to then CJI Justice B.R. Gavai, they argued that while double-lane roads may be justified for national security, the fragile Himalayan terrain cannot withstand unchecked widening.

Concerns Raised in Delhi Meeting

A public meeting held in Delhi in November laid the groundwork for Sunday’s protest march. Members highlighted that the state Forest Department recently granted in-principle approval to divert 42 hectares of forest land for widening a 20.6 km stretch inside the BESZ.

Protesters referred to the sudden floods that hit Dharali village earlier as a stark reminder of the consequences of unregulated activity in the ecologically sensitive Himalayan belt.

Environmental Responsibility Is a Constitutional Duty

BESZ Monitoring Committee member Mallika Bhanot said the movement reflects a strong civic commitment toward environmental protection, calling it a shared and constitutional responsibility.

Addressing the gathering virtually, veteran leader Murli Manohar Joshi said the movement is not against national security.
He emphasized:

“India’s security depends on the security of the Himalayas. Development, protection, and the stability of the Himalayas are interconnected.”

He stressed that the Himalayas are a national and global concern, and protecting them is essential for India’s vision of becoming a world leader.

Key figures who joined the movement include RSS Joint General Secretary Krishna Gopal, social activist Geeta Gairola, and civil society members Suresh Bhai, Ayush Joshi, Gopal Arya, Puran Rawat, Hemant Dhayani, and Kalpana Thakur.

Locals Stage Counter-Protest

However, the protest witnessed opposition from some villagers in Dharali, who accused environment groups of obstructing essential connectivity work.

They staged a counter-protest at the district collectorate, arguing that widening the Gangotri Highway between Uttarkashi and Bhaironghati is crucial not only for the Char Dham project but also for daily travel, emergency services, and border security movement.