Recently, the Supreme Court (SC) sparked conversations around balancing national security and environmental concerns. This discussion arose following the Army’s request to extend the roads associated with the CharDham Project (CDP), aiming to improve connectivity to the Indo-China border. This proposal was highlighted due to the ongoing construction work being conducted by China across the border. However, an NGO opposed this expansion, citing potential environmental harm.
About Chardham Project
The CharDham Pariyojana is a project aimed at enhancing the connectivity to the four pilgrimage centres in the Himalayas – Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri. The objective is to make journeys to these centres safer, faster, and more convenient for the public. The scheme intends to widen nearly 900 kilometres of highways, connecting the holy sites and the Tanakpur-Pithoragarh portion of National Highway (NH) 125. This stretch is a part of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra route.
The Role of CDP in National Security
The CharDham Project holds significant strategic value for national security. It plans to form vital feeder roads that will connect the India-China border with the Army camps based in Dehradun and Meerut. These camps are key locations where missile bases and heavy machinery are located.
Implementing Agencies
Multiple agencies, including the Uttarakhand State Public Works Department (PWD), the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), and the National Highway & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL), are responsible for implementing the project. NHIDCL, a company wholly owned by the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, is also involved in the project’s execution.
Environmental Concerns Associated with the Project
The ambitious CharDham Project poses several environmental threats. The project is anticipated to destroy approximately 690 hectares of forests, uproot an estimated 55,000 trees and displace around 20 million cubic metres of soil.
The aggressive harvesting or uprooting of vegetation during road widening could prove hazardous for regional biodiversity and ecology. The area is home to a variety of species, including Kalij Pheasant, Tragopans, several species of Vultures, and the endangered fish Golden Mahseer.
Furthermore, while there is no direct link established between the CharDham project and the recent glacier tragedy in Chamoli, concerns have been raised about the potential impact of road construction methods on the local environment. Indiscriminate blasting during construction may induce cracks in the soil and rocks, potentially escalating the risk of flash-floods in the future.