UP to axe 1,400 fully grown trees in Pilibhit; activists warn of Chipko-style protest

Activists have called the move unnecessary and harmful, and are warning of a Chipko-style protest, inspired by environmentalist Sundar Lal Bahuguna’s famous movement, to stop the destruction of these trees. (Image credit: @IndiaHistorypic/Twitter)

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) is set to cut down around 1,400 fully grown green trees in Pilibhit, lining an 8-km stretch of the Bhind–Lipulekh highway that passes through Pilibhit city. The proposed felling has triggered strong opposition from environmental activists and citizens, The Times of India reported.

The trees, many over 50 years old, would be cut down despite the availability of a functional bypass road, built to national highway standards, which already serves traffic needs, the environmentalists say.

Activists have called the move unnecessary and harmful, and are warning of a Chipko-style protest, inspired by environmentalist Sundar Lal Bahuguna’s famous movement, to stop the destruction of these trees. The trees have now become the centre of an emerging campaign to protect Pilibhit’s green cover.

Environmental lawyer Shivam Kashyap has filed a complaint with the National Green Tribunal (NGT), asking for the plan to be stopped and reviewed. The Supreme Court Registrar has acknowledged the complaint and may treat it as a Public Interest Litigation (PIL), the TOI report said.

Several organisations, including Mumbai’s Earth Brigade Foundation, Avian Society from Lucknow, and local groups like Wildlife Biodiversity Conservation Society and Save Environment Society, have promised to hold peaceful protests if the government does not reconsider its plan.

The highway, which stretches for about 840 km across Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Nepal, is being constructed in phases. The first phase includes a 183.38-km section from Bewar to Pilibhit. In March, the Public Works Department (PWD) asked the forest department to mark trees for felling along the Pilibhit-Majhola section. Around 1,400 trees were marked without any detailed assessment.

When asked why the central area of the city was being widened despite an alternative bypass, PWD engineer Shashank Bhargav said, “How can we leave the city centre from widening?” However, Pilibhit District Magistrate Gyanendra Singh told TOI that he would discuss the matter with senior officials from MoRTH to explore options that could save the trees.