Bhopal faces rising heat after massive tree cutting:Nearly 7,900 trees to be removed for Ayodhya Bypass widening project

A large-scale tree-cutting drive for the widening of the 16-kilometre-long Ayodhya Bypass in Bhopal has triggered concerns among environmental experts, who warn that increasing concretisation could worsen heatwave conditions and deepen the groundwater crisis in the city. The National Green Tribunal (NGT) recently granted permission to cut 7,871 trees along the stretch between Ratnagiri Tiraha and Asaram Tiraha, after which tree-felling work began immediately. Environmental experts describe it as the biggest assault on Bhopal’s green cover in the last 10 years. The report was prepared by Manoj Joshi in consultation with environmental expert Dr. Sudesh Waghmare. More than 47,500 trees cut in a decade According to records compiled from municipal permissions, reports submitted before the NGT, and studies conducted on Bhopal’s green cover, more than 47,500 trees have been cut across the city over the past decade. The estimate also includes saplings with trunk diameters below 30 centimetres and trees allegedly cut without formal permission. For comparison: Shrinking green areas affecting groundwater recharge Experts say the hills and grasslands in areas such as Kolar, Katara Hills and Chunabhatti once played a critical role in absorbing rainwater and helping groundwater recharge. Natural vegetation, including shrubs and grass cover, slowed rainwater runoff and allowed water to seep underground. However, these areas have now reportedly been cleared using bulldozers and covered with concrete structures. Environmentalists warn that the rapid expansion of concrete surfaces is disrupting groundwater recharge and increasing the risk of severe water shortages in the future. They also noted a visible decline in butterfly and bird populations in these areas. City temperature has risen by nearly 1°C According to a report by the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences at Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Bhopal (IISER Bhopal), unchecked concretisation and indiscriminate tree cutting have led to the emergence of multiple “heat pockets” within the city. Areas such as MP Nagar, Govindpura, Hoshangabad Road and Kolar have reportedly become urban heat hotspots. The report states that over the last 10 years, the average maximum temperature during peak summer months — April and May — has increased by around 0.8°C to 1°C in Bhopal. Experts warn that unless green cover is protected and urban planning becomes more environmentally sustainable, the city could face more intense heatwaves and worsening groundwater depletion in the coming years.