Dehradun, Jul 16 (PTI) Uttarakhand celebrated its nature-centric folk festival ‘Harela’ with traditional fervour on Thursday, but the festivities were overshadowed by a growing controversy over the felling of hundreds of trees for development projects in Dehradun, with environmentalists questioning the spirit of the celebrations.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami launched the celebrations by planting saplings at various locations in Dehradun and Almora and urged people to take a pledge to protect the environment.
Addressing the programme organised under the ‘Lok Sanvardhan Parv’ at Parade Ground in Dehradun, Dhami said Harela is not merely a festival of greenery but a symbol of Uttarakhand’s rich cultural heritage, social harmony and deep reverence for nature.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to environmental conservation, the chief minister said the state has set a target of planting 10 lakh saplings across Uttarakhand during this year’s Harela celebrations.
Calling Harela one of Uttarakhand’s most significant folk festivals, he said it brings together people from all sections of society.
Dhami also welcomed the enthusiastic participation of the minority community, describing it as a reflection of the state’s shared cultural heritage and the spirit of “unity in diversity”.
The chief minister said the Lok Sanvardhan Parv is emerging as a platform to promote and preserve the state’s folk culture, traditions and performing arts.
He also praised noted folk singer Narendra Singh Negi, saying his songs have played a significant role in taking Uttarakhand’s culture, environmental awareness, rural life and social concerns to audiences across the country and abroad.
Even as the government celebrated Harela, protests continued in Dehradun’s Saat Morh and other areas against the proposed widening of the Rishikesh-Bhaniawala National Highway, which involves the felling of hundreds of trees along a route passing through the sensitive elephant corridor of Rajaji National Park.
Environmentalists argued that large-scale tree felling during a festival dedicated to protecting nature undermines Harela’s very purpose.
Many activists and residents stayed away from official Harela events this year as a mark of protest.
“How can we celebrate Harela when hundreds of trees are being cut in Dehradun alone?” environmentalist Anoop Nautiyal asked.
Nature lovers also warned that continued tree felling could have long-term ecological consequences for the Doon valley, which is already under increasing pressure from rapid urbanisation and infrastructure development. PTI DPT NB
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