Days after Uttarakhand's master plan for Bhagirathi eco-sensitive zone was rejected, noted social activist Avdhash Kaushal today demanded scrapping of the notification declaring a 135 km stretch in Uttarkashi as ESZ, and threatened to move court over the issue.
He claimed there is resentment among people over discontinuation of hydropower projects in Bhagirathi eco-sensitive zone and it might turn the tide against BJP in poll-bound Uttarakhand.
"Discontinuation of three hydro power projects, Loharinag Pala (600MW), Pala Maneri (480 MW) and Bhairon Ghati (381 MW) has created widespread discontent among people in the ESZ as it has brought development work in the area to a standstill," the Padmashree awardee claimed.
Slamming the five BJP MPs from the state for their "silence" on the issue, he alleged their "inability" to take a stand on it is stalling the state's progress.
Kaushal said he supports Chief Minister Harish Rawat's decision to sit on a day-long fast in Delhi on Thursday protesting rejection of the state government's zonal master plan on Bhagirathi ESZ.
"BJP leader Vijay Bahuguna must support the hydro power projects and ask the Centre to scrap the eco-sensitive zone or else in the coming state elections the opinion of people of Uttarakhand may not be in his favour," he said.
"Prime Minister Narendra Modi at an election rally here in 2014 had said Uttarakhand has huge potential for hydro power and when BJP comes to power, those shall be explored. He had said the state's 'paani aur jawani' (water and youth) shall be used for its development. The state is still waiting to see those promises being fulfilled," Kaushal said.
"The Centre meant to stall all developmental activities around the area, including 16 hydroelectric projects with a capacity of 1,743 MW, that fall in the notified zone. The state was never keen on implementing the notification as it considered it to be anti-development," the social activist said.
China has undertaken rapid development in its border areas along India. But border infrastructure development in Uttarakhand has been completely neglected by all successive governments, he alleged.
"Increase in Chinese activity near Uttarakhand border is a wake up call for India and immediate steps must be taken to improve the border connectivity in Uttarakhand. Steps should be taken to check migration of village people to cities. All this can be done possible only if the eco-sensitive zone is scrapped and developmental activities are enhanced," Kaushal said.
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