Minister directs study of Gangotri glacier, Bhagirathi eco-sensitive zone
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Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav on Tuesday directed GB Pant Society of Himalayan Environment and Development to study the Gangotri glacier and Bhagirathi eco-sensitive zone.
Chairing the 26th meeting of GB Pant Society of Himalayan Environment and Development in Delhi, he directed the institute to become a knowledge partner towards 100 per cent completion of biodiversity register in the Himalayan region.
The meeting is crucial amid stiff opposition the Centre is facing against the Char Dham project which passes through the Bhagirathi eco-sensitive zone.
“Looking at the importance of primary research in biodiversity conservation, sustainable development, and evidence-based information to support policy that promotes both economy and ecology, directed the institute to become the knowledge centre for the Ramsar sites in the Greater Himalayan region and time-bound project and action plan for all centres,” Yadav said.
Recently, former Union ministers Karan Singh and Murli Manohar Joshi, along with environmentalists, wrote to the Supreme Court urging it to reconsider its 2021 ruling on the Char Dham project.
“The sponsoring agency, the MoRTH adopted an unsuitable road-configuration of double lane and paved shoulder with a 10-m tarred road and a 12-m formation width, claiming an acquisition of 24m for the right of way. It was in violation of its own 2018 circular that specifically recommended an intermediate width of 5.5-m tarred surface for hill and mountain roads, in view of the unsuitability of 10-m tarred width,” the letter said.
An expert committee, set up by the Supreme Court, had recommended that the roads should not be widened beyond 5.5 metres, contrary to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways’ (MoRTH’s) recommendation of 10 metres.
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