The protests against the proposed highway project in Uttarakhand are just increasing in intensity, with more and more people coming together to appeal against the cutting of thousands of trees.
Over the past few days, protesters have gathered against the government for the proposed project of widening the Bhaniyawala–Rishikesh road. Now, supporters claim that this will improve connectivity, but environmentalists argue it comes at an enormous ecological cost.
This is because, to widen this road, more than 4,000 trees will have to be cut. Environmentalists have thus raised concerns over the impact this could have on the landscape of the area and the problems it could lead to. In the midst of this, one woman has been noticed, fervent in her anger against the project and recently went viral for shaving off her hair to show solidarity with the protest.
What Is Happening In Uttarakhand?
The controversy revolves around a road-widening project in the ‘Saat Mod’ area of Dehradun district between Bhaniyawala and Rishikesh in Uttarakhand. According to reports, around 4,369 trees were proposed to be removed to facilitate the expansion of the four-/six-lane project, which would run almost 20 kilometres long along the National Highway 7.
The project is also estimated to cost around Rs. 743 crore and is being built under the Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM).
The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) explained the necessity of the project in a statement, saying, “The existing two-lane road, which passes through the forest, carries approximately 18,456 vehicles daily. This is equivalent to approximately 15,088 Passenger Car Units (PCUs). With traffic expected to increase further due to tourism, airport connectivity, and the Char Dham Yatra, widening the road has become necessary.”
“The current two-lane road has sharp turns, forested terrain, and constant movement of buses, trucks, and heavy vehicles. These factors lead to traffic jams and accidents. The four-lane road will improve the geometry of the road, make the journey comfortable, and modern safety features will make travel safer for both locals and tourists.”
The statement was released on July 7, 2026, and since then, activists, residents, environmental workers and more have been protesting against the project, claiming that doing the modifications it plans to do will be harmful for the region’s landscape and the wildlife.
Although a public interest litigation (PIL) was filed by environmental activist Reenu Paul, and the NHAI was involved, during this time itself, the authority started to fell trees in the Saat Mod area.
This led activists and local residents to start protesting in large numbers, with many gathering on July 15 to celebrate the Kala Harela as a form of dissent.
For nearly a week now, the people have been physically trying to prevent any more trees from being cut by physically hugging them or blocking the chainsaws meant to cut them. As per reports, around 400 trees have already been cut so far. In the wake of such intense reaction, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami decided to temporarily halt the felling of any more trees.
Dhami, in a statement, said, “This is an important infrastructure project of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), on which action was being taken in compliance with the directions of the high court and all necessary statutory and environmental approvals and procedures.”
He further added, “At the same time, until a satisfactory consensus and an atmosphere of trust are built with all sides, the felling of trees falling under this project will remain suspended. For me, the nature of Uttarakhand, public sentiments and the development of the state — all three are equally important. Our govt will move forward only on the basis of dialogue, consensus and wider public interest.”
Who Is This Woman And Why Did She Go Bald?
Among the many protesters speaking out against this project, one woman has been going viral for her passionate reaction to saving the trees.
The exact identity of the woman is not clear, but a Prameya News report on the activist claimed her name to be Manvi, and a resident of Uttarakhand.
Manvi is reported to be an environmental lover and activist who has been participating in the protests to save the trees along the highway project for a few days now. Yesterday, videos emerged of the activist getting her hair shaved off entirely, stating that she was doing this in protest of the planned felling of the trees.
In the video, she is seen saying, “Jo prithvi ka sringar hai, uske ped, agar unko ganja kar rahe ho, to auroton ko apne sir mundwa dene chahiye. Agar sach mein, pedo se itna pyaar hai aur dharti se itna pyaar hai, to apne sir bhi ganje karo sab ke sab. Ped to kuch bol nahi sakte, to main apna support pedo ko aise hi dikha sakti hun.”
(If you are making the trees, which are the beauty of the earth, bald, then women should shave their heads. If you truly love trees and the earth so much, then shave your heads bald, everyone. Trees can’t speak. So I can show my support to the trees this way. You can’t say anything to the government. You can’t say anything to anyone within the nation. So, you can at least shave your head. Here, I’ll have my way.)
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This is not the first time that she has been mentioned in relation to the ongoing protests against the tree felling in Uttarakhand. A few days earlier, a video of her went viral where she can be seen speaking with the media and appealing to the government not to go through with the cutting of the trees. In the video, she can be heard saying, “Hume nahi chahiye badi sadke. Nahi chahiye.”
Multiple activists have begin raising their voices against the felling of at least 3000 trees for the four laning of Bhaniyawala-Rishikesh highway in Uttarakhand. pic.twitter.com/uNj0pzCdDq
— Piyush Rai (@Benarasiyaa) July 18, 2026
In another, she is addressing a worker cutting the trees, telling him that, “Teri aatma marr gayi hai? Apni maa pe chrui chala raha hai khada ho kar. Deshdhrohi ho tum sab. (Has your soul died? You’re driving a knife into your own mother. You are all traitors of the nation.)”
“Teri aatma mar gayi hai. Apni maa pe churi chala raha hai”
An activist repirmands a labourer deployed for felling of trees for the four laning of Bhaniyawala-Rishikesh Highway. https://t.co/sTu3hw4RWH pic.twitter.com/yXHwIcoC6H
— Piyush Rai (@Benarasiyaa) July 18, 2026
While the unidentified woman’s video became the movement’s most recognisable image, the protests have been sustained by hundreds of local residents, volunteers, environmental groups and students.
The movement has also revived memories of Uttarakhand’s environmental legacy. Decades ago, villagers in the Himalayan region famously hugged trees during the Chipko movement to stop commercial logging. Today’s protesters say they are drawing inspiration from that same philosophy: that forests are not merely resources, but living systems that protect water, biodiversity and communities.
Image Credits: Google Images
Sources: The New Indian Express, India Today, Prameya News
Find the blogger: @chirali_08
This post is tagged under: Bhaniyawala Jolly Grant project, Chipko Movement, climate change, deforestation, elephant corridor, environmental concerns, forest conservation, NHAI, Rajaji Tiger reserve, rishikesh, Rishikesh tree felling, tree felling, Uttarakhand Kranti Dal, Uttarakhand protests, Uttarakhand, Uttarakhand, Uttarakhand protest, Uttarakhand news, Uttarakhand environmental protest, Uttarakhand environmental protest woman
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