Did blocking of eco-zone proposal lead to U'khand tragedy?

Dehradun, June 19: Former Uttarakhand Chief Minister B C Khanduri slammed the state government for failing to take adequate measures to prevent the massive damage caused by monsoon's fury in the state over this week.

Media reports said proposal for setting up eco-zone in the state was blocked by successive state governments under pressure of the mining, construction and timber mafia and the authorities. The state governments reportedly stopped the Centre to go forward with the proposal. [Read: Nature's fury: We have dug our own graves]

Current Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna and the Minister of State for Home dodged the question on blocking the proposal of eco-zone. Bahuguna, however, dismissed such charges and said Kedarnath, which is home to the world-famous shrine, was not part of the eco-zone proposal. Bahuguna reportedly turned angry after reporters asked him direct question on the matter.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday took a aerial view of the devastation caused by flash floods and landslides in Kedarnath town. Miraculuosly, the Kedarnath temple was left unharmed.

Massive relief operations were launched by the Army and Air Force to evacuate thousands of stranded people in the region.

OneIndia News