New Delhi, 21 August (H.S.): A meeting was held on Friday to review the implementation of the Bhagirathi Eco-Sensitive Zone notification, with Union Minister Bhupender Yadav, the Chief Secretary of Uttarakhand, the Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, and other senior officials in attendance.

The meeting emphasised the need to implement all provisions of the notification with utmost seriousness and effectiveness. The participants also stressed the need to establish a robust institutional mechanism for effective monitoring, enforcement and compliance.

During the meeting, the need to ensure full compliance with the directions of the Supreme Court in this regard was also underscored. Particular emphasis was placed on maintaining a balance between conservation and sensitive development, keeping in view the cultural, ecological and spiritual significance of the Bhagirathi River and its surrounding areas.

It may be recalled that on December 18, 2012, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change declared an area of 4,179.59 square kilometres along the Bhagirathi River, stretching from Gaumukh to Uttarkashi, as an Eco-Sensitive Zone under the Bhagirathi Eco-Sensitive Zone notification.

The primary objective of the notification is to protect the biodiversity of the source region of the Ganga and safeguard the fragile Himalayan ecosystem.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar