The Centre had recently issued a gazette notification declaring a 100-km stretch between Gomukh and Uttarkashi along the Bhagirathi river as an eco-sensitive zone. But the measure triggered widespread protests in the region over the development issue. The chief minister had met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh calling for review of the measure, with a plea that it would affect hydel projects with a capacity of 1,743 Mw.
The move had also put Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna in a bind as he was trying hard to revive three major hydel projects which were scrapped on the environmental and religious grounds on the river. These projects are 600 Mw Loharinag Pala, 480 Mw Pala Maneri and 380 Mw Bhaironghati. Union rural development minister Jairam Ramesh last week clarified that the eco sensitive zone will not affect development and that a separate master plan will be prepared for the area. "Under the eco sensitive zone, there are certain permissible, prohibited and regulated activities. This does not mean that all the development will be stopped," Ramesh had stated.
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Stressing the need to accelerate road construction in the areas of Uttarakhand bordering China and Nepal, the chief minister said there was need to repair and improve roads on the chardham yatra route which were being managed by the Border Road Organization (BRO). "local people are protesting against the creation of the eco-sensitive zone in Uttarakashi," Bahuguna told a conference of chief ministers at New Delhi.
The CM said that border roads in the state needed to be constructed soon , keeping in mind the infrastructure development being done by China. He said priority should be given to improving Char Dham yatra routes.
The CM said that all those projects should be brought to Uttarakhand which help the pace of development in the state.