Regarding the protest staged by chief minister Harish Rawat in the national capital on issues related to the Bhagirathi eco-sensitive zone (ESZ), subject experts and activists opine that far from stalling ‘developmental’ works in the region falling in the ESZ in Uttarkashi district, its effective implementation will help facilitate developments in spheres like eco-tourism and agriculture making the community more self reliant. Among various stated priorities, the chief minister has repeatedly stressed on developing eco-tourism into a substantial generator of employment opportunities and source of income. The regulation of various activities, prohibition on commercial and other activities detrimental to the environment and other aspects of the ESZ will help develop just the type of eco-tourism attraction which the government claims to be working towards, state the activists. While some organisations have come forward in support of construction of pending hydro electric projects in the region, there are others who state that there is lack of correct information regarding the ESZ notification –especially among the general public -- and the conditions it implies. The conditions in the ESZ notification are being distorted and presented in a manner which makes it seem as if protest regarding aspects of the Bhagirathi ESZ is aimed at scoring political points, opine the observers.
The ministry’s Bhagirathi ESZ notification dated December 18, 2012 states that the Bhagirathi river is rich in aquatic flora and fauna including migratory species and any hindrance in their migration due to construction of hydropower projects may adversely affect this unique ecosystem. A number of hydro power projects have been commissioned or proposed or under implementation on the river and also the continuous and phenomenal increase in the human and cattle population, the anthropogenic pressure on ecosystems and environment has tremendously increased, causing irreparable damage to the fragile
mountain ecosystems including flow and character of the river.” Copies of the Gazette containing the said notification were
made availablelo the public on July 1, 2011 with all objections and suggestions received in response to the draft notification being duly considered by the Central Government before it notified the entire watershed of about 100 kilometers stretch of the Bhagirathi from Gaumukh to Uttarkashi as the Eco-Sensitive Zone.
However, politics and strategies with ulterior political, commercial and other motives stalled progress in this case. Whereas the zonal master plan was to be prepared in consultation with locals within two years from the date of publication of the notification in the Official Gazette, Uttarakhand administration failed to do so. Observers point out that provisions were made for focus on and protection of the river, its tributaries, all types
of forests, agricultural areas, fertile lands, green areas, horticultural areas, orchards, lakes and other water bodies. The construction of various buildings, hotels, resorts in the ESZ shall strictly follow the traditional concepts and architecture of the mountainous region with specific guidelines for the same in the Zonal Master Plan. The Zonal master plan is to regulate the development in the ESZ to meet the requirement of local people without affecting the rights and privileges of the bonafide residents and also ensure eco-friendly development for their livelihood security. No development will be permitted on existing steep mountain slopes or slopes with a high degree of erosion. Tourist resorts and commercial complexes shall be located in areas with surplus water and electricity, so as not to affect the rights of existing users without their prior consultation. “These are other provisions for regulating tourism activities and other aspects mentioned in the notification are not going to deprive the locals but rather help in creating and maintaining conditions that will benefit both the residents and the environment. However, the whole issue was distorted by those with political and commercial interests,” said an official on condition of anonymity.