 "Uttarakhand seeks right to clear hydel projects up to 25 Mw")
"We need to contain the contamination to the river in the origin (Uttarakhand) itself and try to take preventive measures. Only then the pollution level of the river downstream can be controlled and brought down," Rawat told a meeting of the National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGBRA) at New Delhi.
The Chief Minister also said the powers of clearances to hydel projects up to 25 Mw should also be delegated to Uttarakhand in order to harness the water resource in a balanced way.
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The major component of the Rs 9,222-crore package includes Rs 7,634 crore for installing domestic treatment plants in 132 towns/villages along the Ganga.
"There are 132 townships along Ganga and its tributaries which require domestic sewerage system costing Rs 7,634 crore," he said, adding further, "The government has identified 730 locations in the Chardham Yatra route and other mela areas where community toilets costing Rs 219 crore should be set up due to huge seasonal congregations there."
He said 159 locations have also been identified where traditional cremations take place in the hill state along the river stretch. These locations need improved wood-based or electric crematoriums which would reduce waste disposal to Ganga. The cost of building such crematoriums is around Rs 52.47 crore.
In addition to this, 233 locations were identified where solid waste management is required with decentralsed landfills, costing Rs 829.66 crore. Besides, 1,223 locations have been identified in Chardham and other yatra routes and tourist spots for bio-digester toilets costing Rs 122.30 crore.
On the lines of Sabarmati river in Gujarat, visitor flow and heritage-mapping studies are underway for river front development in Rishikesh and Haridwar. An investment of Rs 300 crore for creating infrastructure for the river front development will be required in the two towns, according to the chief minister.
The Chief Minister also called for a review of the 4,197.59 sq km eco-sensitive zone in Uttarkashi district along Bhagirathi, saying there is a lot of resentment among the local people on the issue.
"The eco-sensitive zone notification for an area has caused a lot of resentment and discouragement in the state in its developmental works. This needs to be re-looked and a balance between concerns of the state on economic development and ecological management must be ensured," he said.
Expressing the state's concern over the diverse views taken about the minimum ecological flow into various river systems of Uttarakhand, according to a PTI report, Chief Minister Rawat underlined the need for a group of experts to interact with the stakeholders and arrive at a consensus on the issue to help the state abide by the parameters set.