In a strong show of public resistance, over 300 concerned citizens, including students, environmentalists, social workers, and representatives from political and civil society organisations, gathered on Sunday to participate in a symbolic one-day Satyagraha in protest against the ongoing construction work in the Dol Ka Badh forest.
The protestors voiced their collective opposition to the government’s continued neglect and refusal to engage in dialogue regarding the ecological destruction being carried out at Dol Ka Badh—a biodiverse forest home to over 2,400 trees, countless bird species, and a range of flora and fauna. The forest is widely regarded as Jaipur’s last remaining “green lung”, vital for maintaining the city’s environmental and air quality balance.
The peaceful protest included speeches, awareness sessions, and the reading of environmental appeals. In a bold move, eight individuals undertook a hunger strike to further intensify the protest. Additionally, more than 150 handwritten postcards were addressed to the Prime Minister, urging immediate intervention to halt the destruction of the forest.
Protest organizers have announced that a relay hunger strike will commence from Monday, continuing the movement’s momentum until a resolution is achieved.
“We are standing not just for a patch of trees, but for the soul of Jaipur,” said one of the student organisers. “Destroying Dol Ka Badh is not development—it’s devastation.”
The protest sends a clear message: the citizens of Jaipur will not remain silent as one of the city’s most crucial ecosystems faces irreversible damage.