The real estate boom in Dehradun continues to raise concerns about ecological damage and loss of biodiversity in the state capital. Residents of the Rajpur and Mussoorie Road areas, for instance, are worried as large residential projects are being developed in their vicinity. They claim that while heavy construction is taking place on private land, builders are also encroaching on public land, thereby putting public safety at risk.

Reenu Paul, the founder of the citizens' group Rajpur Community Initiative, stated that the builder of a new project owns private plots on Rajpur Road and Canal Road. In between, there is Nagar Nigam and forest land, which is also being cleared of its green cover. She mentioned that an entire hillock is being chopped down and flattened, and not all of it is private land. According to her, a drain running through the area to Rispana was saved almost 10 years ago from a similar encroachment attempt, and now the same issue is arising again.

Paul further added that several water sources and streams in Rajpur Ridge have been buried due to unchecked work by private builders. She explained that ravines are being filled with mud, which washes away with the first rainfall. She also pointed out that the trees being cut down are part of the natural vegetation, which supports local biodiversity. Paul expressed concern that nearly all plots in the area have been sold, and the development will exceed the area’s carrying capacity.

Maulshree Mittal, a resident, commented that almost 200 trees were chopped down overnight for a new project. She felt the loss of greenery was unacceptable, especially since Dehradun is already facing severe depletion of its green spaces. Mittal attributed the builders' actions to a lack of monitoring by government bodies, wondering how they were obtaining permits in the first place.

Unchecked construction in higher areas has also led to debris slides and landslides in lower regions like Shipra Vihar Colony. Residents claimed that builders were dumping construction material carelessly, putting the lives of those living downhill at risk. A source from an ashram in the area mentioned that the green cover, which had been developed through plantation drives, is now being cleared by private builders.

In response to the on-going situation, residents have launched a campaign to save the ridge and raise awareness about its vulnerability. However, officials from the Mussoorie forest division clarified that since the trees being cut are on private land, the department cannot intervene.