Ruling Congress to join protest against Uttarkashi as ESZ

The ruling Congress in Uttarakhand is going all out to seek revocation of a former United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government decision declaring the 100-km stretch of Bhagirathi river in Uttarkashi district as eco sensitive zone (ESZ).

State Congress President Kishore Upadhayay would travel to Uttarkashi on Tuesday to join the locals who are protesting against the ESZ. Chief Minister Harish Rawat has also asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to reconsider the decision.

In yet another move, the state government has suspended the process of making a zonal master plan for the ESZ, said Ranbir Singh, principal secretary, forest and environment. Under the ESZ guidelines, such zonal master plan was to be completed within two years of the notification on the ESZ.

The Centre, through the December 18, 2012, notification had declared a 100-km stretch of Bhagirathi river from Gaumukh to Uttarkashi, having an area of 4179.59 sq km, as eco sensitive zone. Since then, protests had been simmering in Uttarkashi district against the decision.

The former BJP government had also passed a resolution in the Assembly against the eco sensitive zone.

"The eco sensitive zone has badly affected the development in Uttarkashi. We will join the local people in their protest against the eco sensitive zone," Upadhayay said. Uttarakashi Congress MLA Vijaypal Singh Sajwan, a parliamentary secretary with Cabinet rank, will also join hands with Upadhayay on the issue.

"We will begin our protests on Tuesday from Uttarkashi. Later, we will organise a dharna on the issue at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi," Sajwan told Business Standard.

Sajwan also said if need be, he would move the Supreme Court to seek revocation of the ESZ.

Chief Minister Harish Rawat has convened an all party meeting on the issue.

Hydro electric projects (HEPs) with a capacity of over 1,743 Mw)would be affected by the ESZ, where the Centre has put up restrictions on any big construction activity, top government officials said.

A rough estimate suggests projects worth over Rs 10,000 crore have been affected due to the declaration of ESZ, experts said.