By Experts have warned that new landslide zones have been activated in the ecologically-sensitive areas in Uttarakhand since work began on the construction of the 900km Char Dham road four years ago for all-weather connectivity to four Hindu pilgrimage centres of Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri and Yamunotri. The experts have said the project, which will facilitate the rapid movement of armed forces to areas adjoining India’s border with China, would destabilise the fragile mountainous ecosystem.
Geologist Navin Juyal said earlier there were one or two landslide locations on the highway stretch from Rishikesh to Chamba, over 560-km away, but they have now increased significantly. “Kunjapuri has become a chronic landslide spot, which is a new zone that has been created due to road widening. In Alaknanda Valley, Saknidhar is another chronic landslide zone. As we keep moving upwards in the valleys, the landslide zones keep increasing,” said Juyal, who is also a member of the Supreme Court-appointed High-Powered Committee (HPC) formed last year to review the environmental impact of the project.
