Bhagirathi Eco-Sensitive Zone

Residents and environmentalists of Uttarkashi district in Uttarakhand have written to the Union government expressing concern over a new waste incinerator in the Gangotri National Park and within the Bhagirathi Eco-Sensitive Zone.

Key Highlights

• The incinerator, installed a few months ago by the district administration, is burning mixed solid waste disposed in the hills, causing emissions in the region.
• The plant, which is equipped to combust municipal solid waste, is an “extremely polluting unit”, according to opponents, and thus, cannot be installed within the Gangotri National Park, which lies inside the Bhagirathi Eco Sensitive Zone (BESZ), according to Central Pollution Control Board norms.
• The Bhagirathi Eco-Sensitive Zone notification from Gaumukh to Uttarkashi covering an area of 4179.59 sq. kilometer was issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change(MoEF&CC) on 18th December 2012 keeping in view the requirements of the local people without affecting their rights and privileges and also ensuring eco-friendly development for their livelihood security.
• The Bhagirathi Eco-Sensitive Zone notification mandated the State Government of Uttarakhand to prepare ZMP to be implemented under the supervision of the Monitoring Committee.