New Delhi, Dec. 6 -- The Uttarakhand government has given its nod to the widening of a 20.6-km stretch under the Char Dham project in the upper reaches of Bhagirathi Eco-Sensitive zone, people aware of the details said on Friday.

The 20.6-km stretch, called package 1, links Bhaironghat to Jhala villages in Uttarkashi district. According to a letter from the Uttarakhand Head of Forest Forces (HoFF), the stretch will involve the loss of 41.92 hectares of forest area, which includes several Deodar trees.

In the letter dated November 12 to the state nodal officer, forest land, the HoFF said that the road widening is "strategically important for national security". The project, hence, has been considered under section 1A, sub-section (2)(c) ...