Recently, Uttarakhand Government granted in-Principle approval for Netala bypass project in the fragile Bhagirathi Eco-sensitive Zone (ESZ) despite previous rejections by the Supreme Court's high-powered committee (HPC) due to ecological and social concerns.

Concerns with the Project

• Though the Ministry of Defence has classified the project as strategically important, concerns persist regarding project’s environmental impact.
• The recent Dharali flash flood and expert analysis strongly indicate that the proposed bypass alignment is prone to slope instability and subsidence, with a segment already collapsing during the flood.
• The decision highlights a potential conflict between national security/strategic project designations and environmental protection mandates, particularly in fragile ecological zones.

The Development vs. Environment Debate

• Arguments for developmental parity: Economic development is crucial for reducing poverty and hunger; increasing population demands more utilization of resources, without people, saving the environment becomes moot, etc.
• Arguments for environmental parity: Development becomes meaningless if the environment, which sustains life, is destroyed beyond recovery; even minor developmental activities, when combined, lead to major environmental degradation, etc.
• Drivers of environmental degradation: Economic growth imperatives, large-scale developmental projects, industrial zones and Special Economic Zones, urbanization, policy loopholes such as bypassing Environmental Impact Assessments to fast-track environmental clearances, etc.