(file photo)

New Delhi:

Experts said on Saturday that unplanned and uncontrolled construction in the name of development in Uttarakhand has brought Joshimath to the brink of drowning.

Experts have demanded that the Himalayas be declared an eco-sensitive zone. 

Experts, in a resolution passed at a round table meeting organized by the Swadeshi Jagran Manch (SJM), termed the steps taken to deal with the current situation in flood-hit Joshimath as "inadequate". 

He also asked the government to consider taking long term measures to solve the problem.

According to experts, a similar situation could arise in other areas of Nainital, Mussoorie and Garhwal, if the "so-called development driven by human greed" in the hill state is not checked.  

The proposal states, "Declare the Himalayas an eco-sensitive zone. Regulate large projects causing havoc."

While the road width under the Char Dham road widening project should be regulated to an intermediate standard to minimize damage to the locality, the Char Dham railway project should be re-evaluated and re-looked at. 

The resolution states, "The Chardham Railway is an over-ambitious project that will create havoc and put more burden on the tourism-oriented state of Uttarakhand. This project should be re-evaluated and reconsidered."

The detailed carrying capacity of Uttarakhand should be assessed to ensure that the number of tourists visiting these places is accounted for and also to ensure that the flow of tourists does not burden the environment.

The meeting, held to deliberate on the topic 'Eminent Himalayan Crisis', was attended by Ravi Chopra, former chairman of the Supreme Court-appointed committee on the Centre's Char Dham project, its former member Hemant Dhyani and others.

SJM co-convenor Ashwani Mahajan gave this information. 

Mahajan said, "Shri Adi Shankaracharya founded the city in the eighth century, where the holy Jyotirlinga is situated, known as Joshimath (Jyotir Math). Today this math is on the verge of collapse. The news has sent shockwaves across the country."

He said, "Even though some steps have been taken in view of the current crisis, experts believe that this first Jyotir Math established by Adi Shankaracharya cannot be stopped from submerging."

Describing the steps taken by the government to deal with the current situation as "inadequate", the resolution said that while on one hand a large number of people are going to be displaced due to the submergence of Joshimath, on the other there is a solution.

The demand is being made only through the rehabilitation of the affected residents.

"Currently work on mega projects in the region - the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) hydroelectric project, Helang bypass road construction that is part of the Chardham road widening project and ropeway project - have been stopped by the district administration in the face of local protests. "

Read this too -


-- MP's Shivraj government will now start 'Ladli Bahna Yojana', this much amount will come in the account of every woman..


-- Center is misusing constitutional institutions to suppress the voice of the opposition: Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa



(This news has not been edited by NDTV team. It is published directly from syndicate feed.)

Featured Video Of The Day

Amazing view seen in the rehearsal of the drone show before 'Beating the Retreat'