Officials present zonal master plan for eco-sensitive zone

Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, September 21

The exercise to prepare a zonal master plan in consultation with people following the announcement of an eco-sensitive zone from Gaumukh to Uttarkashi began at the administrative level in Uttarkashi today.

Officials of the forest, horticulture and irrigation departments presented the zonal master plan for development works in the eco-sensitive zone during a meeting chaired by Uttarkashi DM Indudhar Baudai at the district headquarters today. The remaining departments will present their zonal master plans on October 12.

The Uttarkashi DM, addressing the meeting, said around 4179.59 square km of area from Gaumukh to Uttarkashi along the Bhagirathi River was declared as an eco-sensitive zone by the Central Government on December 18, 2012.

Following the declaration, a zonal master plan was to be prepared within two years since the creating of the zone and the exercise done today was under such directions, the DM said.

The proposals sent earlier were disapproved and directions had been given to prepare them again without any delay, he added.

The DM said around 88 villages in the district fall under the ambit of the eco-sensitive zone and a detailed working plan was being devised for development.

Separate meetings at the village level are being conducted to remove doubts among the villagers about the zonal master plan, he added.

The Uttarkashi DM said other departments would also be involved in making the plan. The departments should prepare the plans with utmost caution, the DM said.