Rawat to sit on day-long fast in Delhi over rejection of ESZ

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat will sit on a day-long fast in Delhi on Thursday against the rejection of the state government's zonal master plan for Bhagirathi eco-sensitive zone (ESZ), which he termed as the "biggest blow" to the state's interests.
"The Centre's stand on Bhagirathi ESZ master plan is shocking. This is the biggest blow to the interests of the state which will adversely impact people's livelihood in the river valley areas.
"Hence, I have decided to observe a day-long symbolic fast at Jantar Mantar January 5 in protest against this," he said today.
The state government had recently submitted the zonal master plan for Bhagirathi eco-sensitive zone to the Centre and the National Green Tribunal, Rawat said.

It had sought permission for setting up 10 small hydropower projects with a total capacity of 82 MW in the eco-sensitive region, riverbed mining and carrying out infrastructure projects like building roads and plead that eco-sensitive zone notification was obstructing many development projects.
Accusing the Centre of treating the state indifferently, Rawat alleged the five BJP MPs from Uttarakhand were "silent spectators" to the injustices being done to the state.
"The BJP MPs are answerable to the people of the state. They are like royal courtiers silently watching the injustices being done to Uttarakhand," the Chief Minister alleged.
"The state has suffered financially due to the recommendations of the 14th finance commission and massive cut of funds for drinking water projects. Now comes the jolt of Bhagirathi ESZ master plan rejection. This is too much," he said.