India, Dec. 24 -- Several environmental and social organisations in Dehradun on Wednesday demanded the immediate cancellation of the forest clearance granted for the felling of thousands of trees within the Bhagirathi Eco-Sensitive Zone.

A joint delegation comprising representatives from activist groups like Citizens for Green Doon, Uttarakhand Mahila Manch and Making a Difference met senior officials from the regional office of the environment ministry and the state forest department to submit a detailed memorandum against the 'in-principle' approval granted to the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) on November 12.

The activists pointed out that the project, which involves the diversion of 42 hectares of reserve forest near the Gangotri G...