He described the agitation as one of the biggest environmental movements the state has witnessed in recent years, saying it drew support from residents, students and civil society groups. While welcoming the temporary suspension, Nautiyal said the final outcome may depend more on politics than environmental concerns. He believes the government is unlikely to resume tree felling before the Uttarakhand Assembly elections due in February 2027. “Political considerations will decide the fate of the project more than biodiversity,” he said, adding that no ruling party would want to antagonise voters months before an election.
