Why in News?
On 13 February 2026 the Supreme Court of India modified a previous stay and allowed the metalling of a 4.7 km stretch of the Laldhang–Chillarkhal road that passes through the buffer zone of Rajaji National Park in Uttarakhand. The court stipulated that no commercial vehicles would be permitted on this segment.
Background
Rajaji National Park is a protected area in Uttarakhand named after freedom fighter C. Rajagopalachari. It was formed in 1983 by merging the Rajaji, Motichur and Chilla wildlife sanctuaries and later notified as a tiger reserve.
- Location and Landscape: The park lies between the Shivalik hills and the Indo‑Gangetic plains. River Ganga bifurcates it into eastern and western sectors. Vegetation ranges from moist Shivalik sal forests and mixed deciduous forests to dry deciduous and riparian forests.
- Flora: Dominant trees include sal (Shorea robusta), anogeissus, Albizzia, Terminalia species and the dye‑yielding Mallotus philippensis. The park also supports bamboo and grasses.
- Fauna: Rajaji is home to Asian elephants, Bengal tigers, leopards, sloth bears, Himalayan black bears, civets, martens, jackals and hyenas. Its grasslands sustain deer such as sambar and barking deer.
- Road Controversy: The Uttarakhand government sought to metal an 11 km road connecting Kotdwar and Haridwar. The Supreme Court’s 2023 stay prevented construction, citing disturbance to the wildlife corridor between Rajaji and Corbett National Park. In 2026 the court allowed metalling of the 4.7 km section passing through the buffer zone, with conditions: only non‑commercial vehicles for local residents may use it; commercial traffic must take an alternate route. The decision was based on the road’s importance for 18 villages lacking reliable access.
