The summer of 2024, with its unrelenting heatwaves that have baked much of India and resulted in scores of people dying, has brought home the reality of global warming and climate change.

Against this backdrop, large projects across the country that will require thousands of trees to be felled stand out in stark contrast.

In the past few days, a number of events and developments have highlighted the need for India to strike a better balance between infrastructure the country needs and the environmental concern that the country must adopt.

On Monday, the Supreme Court proposed a tree-planting campaign to combat the cruel heat in the national capital of Delhi. The same day, it was reported that the Goa government has written to the Centre to drop 36 villages from its list of 99 eco-sensitive zones, saying that forests can be moved from one place to another, while natural resources and industries cannot.

A day before, on Sunday, thousands gathered in Uttarakhand’s Dehradun to protest against the unchecked tree felling due to various infrastructure projects in the state, including renovations around the CM’s residence and larger undertakings like the Song River Dam Project and the Delhi-Dehradun Expressway.

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra took to X on Friday to comment on the recent mass felling of trees across states, “Development work is necessary, but we need to protect the environment as much as possible,” she posted in Hindi.

Here are some major development projects which will result in large-scale tree felling across the country.

Uttar Pradesh’s Kanwar Roadway Project

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Around 33,700 fully-grown trees and 78,946 plants will be cut to construct a 111-kilometre road for pilgrims in Uttar Pradesh, spanning the districts of Ghaziabad, Meerut, and Muzaffarnagar, as reported by The Hindustan Times. This road aims to facilitate the annual Kanwar Yatra pilgrimage and alleviate congestion on the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway. The project has been met with environmental concerns and legal scrutiny from the National Green Tribunal (NGT), which has sought detailed breakdowns of the tree felling and its environmental impact. The government has stated that the actual number of trees to be felled will be lower than the initial estimate and that compensatory afforestation will be carried out along both sides of the road.

Almora tree felling

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In Uttarakhand's Almora district, the proposed road widening project in Jageshwar Dham sparked protests due to the planned felling of about 1,000 sacred cedar trees, according to a report in The Wire. This project, under the state’s 'Manas Khand Mandir Mala Mission,' aims to construct a two-lane road to enhance temple connectivity. However, locals revere these cedars trees as divine entities, making their removal a culturally sensitive issue. The Public Works Department and the forest department's survey has faced strong local opposition, leading to memoranda and meetings with officials.

Sandur forest destruction

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A new mining project in Sandur, Karnataka, could lead to the felling of 29,400 trees across 150 acres, if approved. Local activists alerted authorities after observing tree enumeration by the Karnataka forest department in the Ramanadurga forest range, according to a report in the Deccan Herald. The Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) and Visvesvaraya Iron and Steel Plant Limited (VISL) have proposed this project, deemed essential for the VISL's survival. The VISL, facing financial losses since a 2000s mining ban, is located in Bhadravati and is a SAIL subsidiary. The project threatens native species and wildlife, including Asiatic sloth bears, and could severely impact the environment. Despite ongoing eco-restoration efforts in Sandur, activists argue against further deforestation. The Karnataka Mining Environment Restoration Corporation recently approved several restoration projects worth Rs 135.71 crore. State forest officials had previously advised against mining due to potential forest destruction and soil erosion, according to the Deccan Herald report, but the state forest department has now recommended project clearance to the Union environment ministry.

Bengaluru suburban railway project

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The Bengaluru Suburban Rail Project (BSRP), spanning 148 km, will require the felling of 32,572 trees to make way for its development, according to The Indian Express. The Rail Infrastructure Development Company (Karnataka) Limited (K-RIDE) is implementing this project, which involves constructing new rail corridors and related infrastructure. Of the total trees to be felled, 17,505 are located in the Akkupete depot area in Devanahalli, primarily comprising eucalyptus and acacia species, which are generally less desirable due to their environmental impact. The remaining trees are spread across various parts of Bengaluru and its outskirts. The project has sparked significant opposition from environmentalists and citizens. Over 2,000 people have reportedly lodged objections, raising concerns about the substantial ecological impact and the loss of green cover in the city. To mitigate the impact, K-RIDE has committed to planting 10 trees for every tree cut or transplanted.

Maharashtra tiger corridors under threat

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As reported by The Hindustan Times, the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) has approved felling of about 2.5 lakh trees in Maharashtra's tiger corridors to facilitate infrastructure projects, including highway expansions and power line installations. Over 14,241 trees are set to be cut for various projects, including the upgradation of National Highway 353 J in the Pench-Bor-Melghat tiger corridor and the construction of power lines and road expansions in other key areas. One major project involves the acquisition of 14.7 hectares of forest land for the Nagpur-Katol highway, which will affect the Pench-Bor-Melghat corridor. Additionally, 39.63 hectares in the Kanha-Pench and Kanha-Navegaon-Nagzira corridors are earmarked for a new power transmission line. The four-laning of National Highway 930 D will further impact 37.63 hectares connecting the Tadoba, Kanhargaon Sanctuary, Indravati Tiger Reserve, and Kawal Tiger Reserve. Moreover, the NBWL has allowed over 20 hectares to be diverted from the core and buffer areas of the Melghat Tiger Reserve for road upgrades​. These projects are intended to improve connectivity but pose a significant threat to the tiger populations and other wildlife in these regions. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has mandated studies and mitigation measures to minimise the impact on wildlife, including site inspections and adherence to animal passage plans.

Delhi Metro expansion

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The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) plans to cut down approximately 14,000 trees for its fourth phase of expansion, according to The Times of India. This large-scale deforestation has sparked significant environmental concerns and legal challenges. Delhi High Court intervened in February, emphasising the need to balance development with environmental preservation. The court has mandated a comprehensive plan for compensatory afforestation and the transplantation of trees to mitigate the environmental impact. The court's decision reflects its lack of confidence in the officials handling tree felling permissions, urging the authorities to ensure the survival and thriving of transplanted trees​ Environmental activists have raised alarms about the potential ecological damage, noting that many of the trees to be felled are native species with large canopies that provide essential ecosystem services, including habitat for birds and small animals.

Calcutta’s Victoria Metro Station

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In April, the Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd (RVNL) announced the felling of 28 trees on Maidan in Calcutta for the construction of the Victoria Memorial Metro station, part of the Joka-Esplanade Metro corridor. This decision has sparked concerns about the fate of an additional 917 trees slated to be affected by the project. Activists and organisations like the Friends of Trees and the Watchdog Foundation have condemned these actions, highlighting the ecological impact of damaging the Maidan, the ‘lungs’ of Calcutta. They have also called for accountability and adherence to environmental guidelines to protect the remaining trees. A division bench of Calcutta High Court has dismissed a petition against the felling of trees in the Maidan area for the upcoming Joka-Esplanade Metro.

Ulwe Coastal Road near Mumbai

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In February, Bombay High Court granted permission for the City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO) to cut down 3,728 mangroves to facilitate the construction of the Ulwe Coastal Road near Mumbai, according to The Times of India. This road, spanning 5.8 km, will connect the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL) to Navi Mumbai, aiming to improve access to the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA). The project will be constructed on stilts in the mangrove areas to minimise disturbance, and CIDCO has received the necessary environmental and forest clearances from the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEFCC), and is estimated to be completed in 24 months. Costing around Rs 1,400 crore, the road is designed to alleviate traffic congestion and enhance connectivity in the region. Environmental groups have expressed concerns about the ecological impact of this project, emphasising that mangroves play a crucial role in preventing coastal erosion, maintaining the local climate, and providing habitat for diverse wildlife. While CIDCO has assured that for every tree cut, a mangrove sapling will be planted, experts argue that young mangroves cannot match the ecosystem services provided by mature forests.

Bhopal VIP residence

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Outrage has reportedly erupted in Bhopal over the proposed felling of approximately 29,000 trees to facilitate the construction of government bungalows for ministers and officers in Shivaji Nagar and Tulsi Nagar, according to reports in The Times of India. This plan has sparked protests, with hundreds of residents, students, and environmental activists coming together to protect the city's green cover. Many have compared the movement to the historic Chipko Movement in which people physically clung to trees to prevent them from being cut down​. The Madhya Pradesh Housing and Urban Development Principal Secretary clarified that no final decision had been made, stating that the plan was only a concept presented by the Housing Board. The government's proposal includes demolishing existing structures and constructing new bungalows. The environmental impact of losing these trees, many of which are heritage trees, is a central concern. Activists are demanding more sustainable development practices and thorough environmental assessments before proceeding with such projects​.

Dehradun Sal tree felling

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A total of 2,000 Sal trees are projected to be felled for the Song Dam Drinking Water Project in Uttarakhand, under which a water reservoir and a water treatment plant have been proposed in Khalanga, Dehradun, according to The Times of India. The Union government and the environment ministry have approved the project. Objections have been raised of the removal of Sal trees, which have religious and cultural importance. Activists claim that 20,000 trees are projected to be cut and 40,000 have already been felled in Uttarakhand, due to various such projects.