Rampant Construction Threatens Uttarakhand's Foothill Ecosystem | 06 Jan 2025

The rapid expansion of real estate in Dehradun is raising significant concerns about ecological degradation and biodiversity loss.

Rajpur and Mussoorie Road have reported large residential projects encroaching on both private and public lands, leading to the clearing of green cover and posing risks to public safety.

Construction Activities are clearing forest land and private plots, including areas with natural drains leading to the Rispana river.
Ravines are being filled with mud, which is washed away during rainfall, and that the removal of native trees disrupts local biodiversity and development is exceeding the area's carrying capacity.
The unchecked construction activities have led to the loss of water sources and streams in the Rajpur ridge area, with natural vegetation being replaced by urban development.
- This situation underscores the urgent need for sustainable urban planning to balance development with environmental preservation.
Unchecked construction in higher areas often results in debris slides and landslides in low-lying regions, endangering residents and the environment.
To address these challenges, experts emphasize the importance of enforcing building regulations, conducting Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA), and promoting responsible construction practices.
- Public awareness and community involvement are also crucial in advocating for sustainable development that preserves the ecological integrity of Uttarakhand's foothill regions.

The EIA is a structured method used to analyze and understand the potential environmental effects that could occur from upcoming projects or activities.
- It helps in evaluating and predicting how these projects might impact the natural surroundings before they are put into action.
The concept of EIA emerged in the 1960s and 1970s as a response to growing concerns about the environmental impacts of large-scale development projects.
On 27^thJanuary 1994, the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India issued the first EIA notification.
- The United Nations Conference on the Human Environment in Stockholm in 1972 was a significant milestone, emphasizing the need for environmental assessment in decision-making.
- Other notable agreements include the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), which highlight the importance of considering environmental impacts in various sectors.