Current Affairs: Passage of the Week - 01 September 2025 | Current Affairs & General Knowledge - CLAT PDF Download

Directions: Read the passage carefully and answer the questions that follow.
The devastating flash flood that struck Dharali on Tuesday has once again brought alive long-standing environmental concerns regarding the felling of thousands of deodar trees in the Bhagirathi Eco-Sensitive Zone (BESZ) of Uttarkashi's Bhatwari block, the area hit by the deluge.
Environmentalists have flagged that a 10-km stretch -- from Jangla to Dharali, Harsil and Jhala -- has been earmarked for the cutting of more than 6,000 deodar trees, many of which stand precisely where Tuesday's disaster unfolded.
"This area lies within the Bhagirathi watershed and the eco-sensitive zone, and it is composed of moraine (loose glacial debris), which makes it highly disaster-prone. Just a year ago, in Aug, we wrote to the ministry of environment, forest and climate change (MoEF) requesting a halt to tree felling and demanding a proper terrain assessment and vulnerability evaluation, as mandated by the Supreme Court (SC).
Even if this is a strategic road, SC had laid down strict conditions for its expansion," said Hemant Dhyani, convener of Ganga Ahwan Movement and member of the SC-appointed oversight committee for the all-weather Char Dham road widening project.
DP Dobhal, former senior glaciologist at Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology told TOI, "As glaciers retreat, the timberline shifts upward. Trees play a significant role in reducing the impact of such natural calamities and help mitigate the damage downstream."
Former scientist at forest ecology and climate change division of Forest Research Institute in Dehradun, N Bala, who was part of both the high-powered committee and the oversight committee set up for the Char Dham road widening project, said, "Tree felling has a definite ecological impact, regardless of location.
On paper, we have access to top-tier technology, guidelines, afforestation plans and all possible disaster mitigation measures for the road works, especially since this region is of strategic military significance. But the real question is that are those safeguards being implemented sincerely? Is the monitoring robust and continuous?"
Underscoring the urgent need for ecologically sensitive planning in the Himalayas, environmental activist Vimlendu Jha, who has worked on river ecosystems for over 25 years, said, "Any form of development in the Himalayas must align with the region's fragile and unique ecology. No one is opposing development per se, but when it comes at the cost of large-scale destruction, that is where the problem lies, and unfortunately, that's what we're seeing today."
Jha further pointed out that the SC-appointed high-powered committee had already raised red flags on numerous issues, including indiscriminate dumping of construction debris into rivers, unscientific hill-slope excavation and the cutting of more than 50,000 trees.
"The Himalayas are giving us clear warning signs. From Himachal and Ladakh to Uttarakhand and Sikkim, the entire belt is now witnessing catastrophic destruction," he said.
Asked about the status of the 10-km road project, a senior IFS officer from the Uttarakhand forest department, said, "We are still awaiting clearance from the ministry before any further steps can be taken on this assignment in that region."
[Excerpt from TOI "Uttarakhand Forest Clearance Sparks Environmental Concerns" Dated 01/09/25]

Q1: The Supreme Court’s restriction on road width in the Bhagirathi eco-sensitive zone primarily aimed to:
(a) Facilitate faster vehicle movement in pilgrimage routes
(b) Reduce ecological disturbance in a fragile terrain
(c) Provide uniformity in all national highway constructions
(d) Improve military access in border regions

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Ans: (b)
Sol: The SC limited road width to 5.5 metres to protect the eco-sensitive, landslide-prone region.

Q2: Which of the following best reflects the conflict highlighted in the Netala bypass project?
(a) Religious freedom vs. state security
(b) Environmental protection vs. developmental infrastructure
(c) State autonomy vs. federal supremacy
(d) Judicial activism vs. parliamentary sovereignty

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Ans: (b)
Sol: The dispute is between road expansion (development) and preservation of fragile forests/ecology.

Q3: The felling of thousands of deodar trees between Jhala and Bhairoghati is a matter of concern mainly because:
(a) Deodar wood is economically valuable
(b) These trees hinder large-scale construction projects
(c) They contribute to slope stability and biodiversity
(d) They are culturally significant for local rituals

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Ans: (c)
Sol: The trees are crucial for slope stability and preventing landslides while supporting biodiversity.

Q4: If the activists’ claims of “contempt of court” are correct, it implies that:
(a) The BRO has failed to submit its project design for public review
(b) The clearance order disregarded binding judicial directions
(c) The project has exceeded its approved budget allocation
(d) The forest department acted without consulting state officials

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Ans: (b)
Sol: Contempt arises because the forest clearance ignored SC’s 2020 order requiring limited construction and assessments.

Q5: Which of the following is the most likely long-term impact of unchecked construction in the Bhagirathi eco-sensitive zone?
(a) Enhanced tourism potential with minimal risks
(b) Stabilisation of slopes due to improved infrastructure
(c) Irreversible ecological damage leading to frequent landslides
(d) Self-sufficiency of local communities in economic activities

View Answer  

Ans: (c)
Sol: Activists warn that road widening and tree felling may cause irreversible ecological harm and landslide risks.