Uttarkashi-Gomukh stretch:CPI-ML opposes Centre's notification

The CPI-ML today strongly opposed the Centre's recent notification, declaring a 4171.59 km stretch from Uttarkashi to Gomukh in Uttarakhand as an eco-sensitive zone, saying the move was part of a conspiracy to displace thousands of people in the region.
The party appealed to all the left organisations to oppose the notification tooth and nail.
CPI (Marxist-Leninist) Central Committee member Raja Bahuguna alleged that successive BJP and Congress governments in the state had been a mute witness to displacement of thousands of families in the past in the name of industrialisation, construction of airstrips, reserve forest areas and hydel power projects.

While people in the hills were displaced in the name of mega hydel power projects, those in the plains are being rendered homeless in the name of reserve forest areas and eco-sensitive zones, he claimed.
He asked all like minded parties to come forward and hit the streets on the issue.
Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna has also said that the notification will affect infrastructure projects underway in the area.

"BRO's realignment project is underway, roads and bridges are to be built in the region besides rehabilitation work in villages hit by natural calamities last year.
The notification will have an adverse effect on all that," Bahuguna told reporters here recently.

However, he assured that a wayout will be found and development projects would not be allowed to be affected by the notification which declares the vast stretch of land from Uttarkashi to Gomukh on either side of Bhagirathi as eco-sensitive.