Human rights activist Avdhash Kaushal has thrown his full weight behind the section of Uttarkashi residents who are vociferous against the region from Gomukh to Uttarkashi being declared an eco-sensitive zone.
He asked the Government to reconsider the decision. Notably, a State-wide bandh would be observed on 24 January next year to vent the collective anger over the anti-development decision, it is decided.Kaushal argued, on one hand, the Centre and the State Government are prodding the people to dream of development and on the other hand, they are putting spanner in the way of development by declaring Uttarkashi an Eco-sensitive Zone. If implemented, it would deprive the people of their traditional means of livelihood. Saying that the decision augurs ill for the momentum of development, he warned that a movement would be launched against the Government’s decision in January next. It would be a full-blown movement where distinguished scientists, concerned citizens, NGOs and every strata of the society would take part.
Kaushal asked the people of the State to make 24 January shutdown a total success. He further said that the closure of the hydro- power projects in the name of Eco-sensitive Zone is a political conspiracy. He mentioned that had these hydro- power projects- Pala Maneri (480 MW), Bhairoghati (381 MW) and loharinagpala Hydro project (600 MW)- been made functional it would have helped the State to solve the problem of electricity deficit. Besides, it would have provided the local residents a source of employment. However, after spending crores, these projects have been stalled midway in the name of Eco-sensitive Zone involving the region from Gomukh to Uttarkashi.
Avdhash Kaushal stated that the Supreme Court bench comprising Justice Dipak Misra and Justice lalit have clarified that hydro- power projects are environment and green friendly. He said while China and Nepal have started constructing large hydro-power projects the government here looks bent upon scuppering things on flimsy arguments.