Rishikesh: In a show of massive public outrage, thousands of residents from Rishikesh took to the streets in a grand rally to protest against ongoing evictions and surveys on disputed forest land. The demonstration, organized under the banner of the “Rishikesh Bachao Sangharsh Rally” by the Bapu Gram Bachao Sangharsh Samiti, began at the IDPL sports ground and culminated at the Rishikesh Tehsil premises after covering an 8-kilometer route.
The rally, which reportedly drew over 20,000 participants from neighborhoods including Shivaji Nagar, Mira Nagar, 20 Bigha, Bapu Gram, Mansa Devi, and Amit Gram, brought the entire city to a standstill. Traffic came to a complete halt, forcing people to use narrow lanes and alleys for movement. Protesters raised slogans demanding that the state government either pass a deforestation proposal and forward it to the Central Government or declare the affected areas as revenue villages to safeguard their homes and livelihoods.
The core issue stems from a long-standing forest land dispute involving approximately 2,866 acres that were leased in 1950 for 99 years (until 2049) to the Pashu Lok Seva Mandal (also referred to as Pashulok Seva Samiti), an institution intended for purposes such as gardens, fodder production, and animal husbandry. However, the land allegedly saw commercial misuse and sub-letting over the years.
Following Supreme Court directives in late 2025 — which took suo motu cognizance of large-scale encroachments on protected forest land and criticized the Uttarakhand government for inaction — the Forest Department has been conducting surveys, measurements, and issuing notices to reclaim allegedly encroached areas. The apex court has ordered strict action against illegal occupations, halting new constructions and preventing third-party rights creation on the land.
Protesters emphasized that many settlements in these areas predate independence and that residents respect the Supreme Court’s orders but urged the government to prioritize public interest. They argued that they are not seeking charity but rightful protection of their homes, especially since state and central governments have invested crores in development projects and infrastructure in these very areas over decades.
Through the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), the demonstrators submitted a memorandum to both the state and central governments, highlighting their demands and warning against displacing families who have lived there for generations. Participants stressed that eviction based solely on Supreme Court orders would lead to widespread hardship, with many claiming they have nowhere else to go.
The rally remained largely peaceful, though it underscored deep tensions in the region following earlier violent protests in December 2025, when surveys triggered stone-pelting, road and rail blockades, and clashes with police and forest officials.
This ongoing controversy has reignited debates over balancing forest conservation, environmental protection, and the rights of long-term residents in ecologically sensitive Himalayan areas. Authorities now face mounting pressure to resolve the issue in a way that upholds Supreme Court directives while addressing humanitarian concerns.
