Just Like Aarey, Thousands In Dehradun Unite For 'Chipko Movement' To Save Thano Forest
After Dehradun's government proposal to axe over 10,000 trees to expand Jolly Grant Airport to International Airport, thousands of people from Rishikesh, Haridwar gathered in and tied 'raksha sutras' to the trees pledging to protect them.
After Dehradun's government proposal to axe over 10,000 trees to expand Jolly Grant Airport to International Airport, thousands of people from Rishikesh, Haridwar gathered in and tied 'raksha sutras' to the trees pledging to protect them.
The people gathered in Thano and recreated the famous 'Chipko Movement' dating back to 1973, opposing the felling of trees.
People raised slogans and pledged to save trees.
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The protest which had thousands of people is a reminder of the protest in Mumbai to save Aarey forest, where trees were being cleared for a proposed metro car shed protest. The project has now been shelved by the Maharashtra government.
Activists, environmentalists fear that cutting of trees in Thano region of Dehradun forest division could affect wildlife movement in the elephant corridors.
The Dehradun government has sought transfer of 243 acres of forest land to the Airport Authority of India (AAI) for the expansion of the airport stating that international flights are set to increase post the pandemic.
Let's unite against #deforestation, come on #India.#SaveThanoForest #SaveThano #ClimateActionNow@AaravSeth888 @KaoHua3 @Sarahhh_lndian @Sphiamia @AnnaKernahan @XR_BSE @Greenpeace @Monarijulius @JoinIsmail @VikramKamboj @Thakrarkhelan @fridays_india @Bat_Yann @fridays_kenya pic.twitter.com/TEoyC02GNR
¡ª Ananya Kamboj (@KambojAnanya) October 18, 2020
This is ecoside. Wear mask and save trees. Be safe #SaveThano #SaveThanoForest pic.twitter.com/cMTEULMSvh
¡ª SHOBHIT KUKRETI (@KukretiShobhit) October 18, 2020
I'm with thano.#SaveThano #SaveThanoForest pic.twitter.com/kdlekB6cwm
¡ª Rachit Bisht (@RachitBisht8) October 18, 2020
The project is of strategic importance because Uttarakhand also shares a border with China and with the airport close to the Line of Actual Control.
Environmental activists have questioned this move saying that it will cause the destruction of over 10,000 trees in the Thano range of the state. "This is just a smokescreen since Uttarakhand already has airstrips at Gauchar and Pithoragarh close to the LAC. These can easily be upgraded and the proposed expansion will only cater to commercial aircraft."
