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Gangotri National Park
Why in News?
Residents of Uttarkashi district have expressed concern to the Union government over a new waste incinerator inside Gangotri National Park, located in the Bhagirathi Eco-Sensitive Zone.
Key Points
- Gangotri National Park:
- The national park was established in 1989.
- It covers an area of 1,553 square kilometers and rises to an altitude of 7,083 metres, encompassing diverse terrain.
- The park is home to the Gaumukh-Tapovan Trek, one of the most popular trekking routes in the region.
- Gaumukh at Gangotri glacier, the origin of river Ganga, is located inside the park.
- Flora: The park is enveloped by dense coniferous forests that are mostly temperate. Chirpine, deodar, fir, spruce, oak and rhododendron are the common vegetation.
- Fauna: Various rare and endangered species like Bharal or Blue Sheep, Black Bear, Brown Bear, Himalayan Monal, Himalayan Snowcock, Himalayan Tahr, Musk Deer and Snow Leopard are found in the park.
- The national park was established in 1989.
- Bhagirathi Eco-Sensitive Zone:
- In 2012, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) issued a gazette notification declaring the watershed area along the stretch of river Bhagirathi, covering 4,179.59 sq km from Gaumukh to Uttarkashi, an Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ).
- ESZs are the ecologically important areas designated to be protected from industrial pollution and unregulated development under the Environment Protection Act of 1986.
- In 2012, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) issued a gazette notification declaring the watershed area along the stretch of river Bhagirathi, covering 4,179.59 sq km from Gaumukh to Uttarkashi, an Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ).
- Revised Industry Classification by CPCB:
- In April, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) introduced a new blue category under revised industrial classifications.
- This category includes essential environmental services such as waste-to-energy plants and integrated sanitary landfills to manage urban waste responsibly.
- In April, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) introduced a new blue category under revised industrial classifications.
- Legal and Environmental Concerns:
- Violation of Laws: The incinerator's location violates the principles of environmental protection, as industries in such sensitive areas are prohibited.
- According to the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, the construction of landfills in hilly areas is strictly forbidden, and waste should be transferred to suitable locations in the plains.
- Impact on Biodiversity: The Gangotri National Park is part of the Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot, rich in unique flora and fauna.
- The presence of the incinerator in such a sensitive region exacerbates the risk of ecological degradation.
- Public Opposition: Local activists and residents have voiced strong objections, highlighting the delicate ecological balance of the Gangotri region.
- They argue that the establishment of such a facility in the Himalayas poses a significant threat to the area’s biodiversity, which is already vulnerable due to its unique and sensitive environment.
- Violation of Laws: The incinerator's location violates the principles of environmental protection, as industries in such sensitive areas are prohibited.
Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)
- CPCB is a statutory organisation and was constituted in 1974 under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974.
- CPCB was also entrusted with the powers and functions under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.
- It serves as a field formation and also provides technical services to the Ministry of Environment and Forests and Climate Change of the provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
