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In poll-bound Uttarkashi, ecology's a casualty

The ESZ prohibited new HEP's, except mini and micro ones, expansion of existing HEP's on Bhagirathi and its tributaries in the 100-km stretch, abstraction of river water for industrial use, commercial tree felling and commercial mining.

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A ravaged Assi Ganga valley and the nearby degrading forest
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On the road to Assi valley in Gangotri constituency, the landscape is both precarious and breathtaking. The backdrop of the snow-capped Dodital, the origin of the Assi Ganga river, adds mystique to it. But, the environmental degradation and hazards are all too visible and stark. A standing example is the ravaged powerhouse of the Assi Ganga hydroelectric project, that was damaged in the 2012 and 2013 floods. Landslides too, have become a worryingly routine event in the narrow valley. Despite destruction of past and present hazards, environment has become a casualty of the poll agenda.

Both, Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), are campaigning to open-up the valley for more hydroelectric projects (HEP) and commercial riverbed mining. At the centre of their campaigns is the Bhagirathi eco-sensitive zone (ESZ) issue. In 2012, the union environment and forest ministry notified a 100-km stretch between Gaumukh and Bhagirathi as an eco-sensitive zone. It was granted ESZ protection to stem the damage caused to mountains and the Bhagirathi river by existing, under construction and proposed HEP's and increasing anthropogenic pressures.

The ESZ prohibited new HEP's, except mini and micro ones, expansion of existing HEP's on Bhagirathi and its tributaries in the 100-km stretch, abstraction of river water for industrial use, commercial tree felling and commercial mining. The notification also mandated creation of a zonal master plan.

The Congress and BJP in Uttarkashi have railed aggressively against implementation of the ESZ notification, convincing the locals that it will halt their lives and hamper development. The sitting MLA Vijay Pal Sajwan and his supporters have protested the ESZ notification and BJP's Gopal Singh Rawat has followed suit. "We are for starting work on stalled dam projects and new ones. We will not let the ESZ notification be implemented. Rather, the dam barrages limited the damage during floods," Sajwan quipped.

The politics over the ESZ, in fact, has caused further strain in Centre- State relations. Chief Minister Harish Rawat has used the plank as an emotive one, accusing the Centre of discrimination and hampering Uttarkashi's development. On January 5, he held a symbolic day-long fast at Delhi's Jantar Mantar, to protest Centre's decision not pass the Bhagirathi ESZ master plan. The state's master plan, as mandated by the notification, had batted for 10 hydropower projects with a cumulative capacity of 82MW, as they were cleared before the 2012 notification. It also sought to lift the prohibition on riverbed mining and building of roads at higher altitudes.

"The state government had sent a balanced proposal but the Centre is ignoring it," added Sajwan. While the environment ministry has hinted at supporting the master plan, water resources and Ganga rejuvenation minister Uma Bharti first opposed all dam projects in upper reaches of Ganga, but then did a volte-face. The issue is presently pending in National Green Tribunal and Supreme court.

On the ground, though, there is widespread ignorance about the ESZ issue among the people whose lives it will impact. Opposition to it is borne out of fear rather than a clear understanding of its ramifications and intent.

"I am opposed to this notification. It will stop dams and affect our day to day lives and we would have run to the government for every small issue," said Mohan Rawat, 41, an artist from Dandalka village in Assi Ghati. When prompted further to reveal why exactly he is opposed to the ESZ, Rawat has no specific reason to offer. "People do not know what is the meaning of ESZ. I have heard other villagers and politicians say that it will affect our lives adversely. Whatever happens, should be in accordance with the wishes of the locals," he added.

The chorus against ESZ grows louder in other villages. Krishna Prasad Raturi, 42, from Maneri in Gangotri constituency wants development in his region. For him, hydroelectric projects and riverbed mining in the Bhagirathi river basin, are a must for development to take off.

Even as there is clamour for more dams, the irony becomes starker when locals dwell on the dangers of landslides. "Our immediate concern is construction of a rope bridge to crossover the ravaged ravine. But, we are living under a constant threat of landslides, especially during monsoon. Up here in the valley, we are caught between the mountain and the river," Shiv Singh, 41, a farmer from Seku village.

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