Encroachments around Badrinath temple to be removed: Nishank

Dehradun, Jan 18 (PTI) The Uttarakhand government plansto launch a drive to remove encroachments from near the worldfamous shrine of Badrinath after consulting with local people.

Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhariyal Nishank today said thegovernment has set up a committee under the chairmanship ofstate Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Manoharkant Dhyanito evolve a consensus on the issue.

Nishank said the unauthorised structures around theBadrinath temple, nestled in Garhwal Himalayas, have "defaced"the beauty of the shrine and it was government''s priority toremove these encroachments, according to an official release.

The chief minister was speaking after laying foundationstone for a guest house of Badrinath-Kedarnath templecommittee at Kargi here.