With an aim to pave the way for a faster execution of the Char-Dham road project in the Himalayan region, the Union Environment Ministry on Friday approved the Zonal Master Plan (ZMP) of Bhagirathi Eco-Sensitive Zone from Gaumukh to Uttarkashi covering an area of 4179.59 sq km.
The ZMP is based on watershed approach and includes governance in the area of forest and wildlife, watershed management, irrigation, energy, tourism, public health and sanitation, road infrastructure, etc, said Union Environment Minister Prakash Javedekar after a review meeting held here.
The Bhagirathi Eco-Sensitive Zone notification issued way back in 2020 mandated the State Government of Uttarakhand to prepare ZMP to be implemented
under the supervision of the Monitoring Committee.
“The approval of ZMP will give a boost to conservation and ecology of the area and also to undertake developmental activities as permitted under ZMP,” said Javedekar.
The ZMP was approved at the review meeting of the Chaar Dhaam road project in Uttarakhand which was chaired by Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari, Chief
Minister of Uttarakhand Trivendra Singh Rawat, among others.
The Chaar Dhaam Project proposes to connect Yamnotri, Gangotri, Badrinath and Kedarnath which host Chaar Dham Yatra in the State of Uttarakhand.
The all-weather Chaar Dhaam Road has in all 53 projects of 826 km length, involving an investment of Rs 12,000 crore.