Bhopal residents to honour trees before felling:Activists say decades-old green cover is disappearing rapidly across bypass stretch

Bhopal is set to witness an unusual protest on Thursday evening, where citizens, environmentalists and activists will gather not with slogans, but with flowers. The silent tribute is being organised for the 7,871 trees marked for cutting under the ₹836 crore Ayodhya Bypass widening project. The gathering will begin at 5 pm, as people assemble to pay respects to trees that have stood along the city’s roads for nearly four to eight decades. Activists say the event is both a tribute and a symbolic protest against the rapid loss of green cover in the state capital. Small beginnings, growing resistance The protest comes days after the National Green Tribunal (NGT) allowed the project to move ahead with environmental conditions. Soon after the order, tree cutting resumed through the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), and hundreds of trees have already been felled along the bypass stretch. Environmentalists now plan to convert the issue into a wider public movement. Environmentalist Umashankar Tiwari said campaigners had spent several days trying to save the greenery, but once permission was granted, cutting restarted immediately. Activists are now preparing to present their case again before authorities in an effort to save the remaining trees. Machines replacing decades of green cover Heavy machines are currently being used to cut trees between Ratnagiri Tiraha and Asaram Tiraha. In many sections, most roadside trees have already disappeared. The 16-km-long project aims to convert the Ayodhya Bypass into a 10-lane corridor with service roads. However, environmentalists claim the official figure of 7,871 trees is understated. According to campaigners: • The actual number of affected trees may exceed 10,000
• Many trees are estimated to be 40 to 80 years old
• Some activists claim several trees are over 100 years old Traffic disruptions are increasing daily Alongside tree cutting, construction activity has intensified across the bypass. Barricades have narrowed roads at several locations, while diversions have been created every 100 to 200 metres. Daily commuters are facing long delays and congestion, especially between Ratnagiri Tiraha and Asaram Tiraha. Residents say the traffic situation has worsened significantly in recent days. How the legal battle unfolded The issue first gained attention in December last year, when nearly half the marked trees were reportedly cut within three days. The large-scale felling triggered protests across Bhopal and eventually reached the NGT. Initially, the Bhopal bench halted tree cutting till January 8 and conducted multiple hearings. The matter later moved to the Delhi Bench, where hearings have now concluded. Petitioner Nitin Saxena had earlier stated that the temporary stay on tree cutting brought immediate relief, as it prevented the large-scale removal of trees for some time. Questions over alternative planning Environmentalists argue that road expansion should not come at the cost of mature greenery. Several activists, including Subhash C. Pandey, Umashankar Tiwari, Rashid Noor and Suyash Kulshrestha, have questioned why an elevated corridor or a six-lane road was not considered instead of a 10-lane expansion. Congress leaders, including Ravindra Sahu Jhumarwala and District President Praveen Saxena, also joined protests earlier by wearing masks during demonstrations. NHAI’s plantation promise In response to criticism, NHAI has announced a large plantation plan linked to the project. Key promises include: • Plantation of 81,000 saplings against 7,871 trees being cut
• Around 10,000 saplings to be planted along the bypass itself
• Plantation to include shade-giving and fruit-bearing species
• Maintenance responsibility for 15 years at an estimated cost of ₹20 crore
• Over 61,000 saplings planned in Jhirmia and Jagariyapur areas on revenue forest land The municipal corporation and district administration have also identified parks, roadside land and vacant spaces for additional plantation drives. For activists, however, the concern goes beyond numbers. They argue that replacing decades-old trees with saplings cannot immediately restore the ecological balance lost to urban expansion.