IITians welcome MoEF decision of halting of relocation of Dhari Devi Temple in Uttrakhand?

The IITians for Holy Ganga, a forum constituted to preserve heritage and ecology of the river Ganga by Alumni of All IIT's across the country have welcomed the halting of uplifting and relocation of historical Dhari Devi Shrine on the banks of the Alaknanda river near Srinagar (Gharwal) in Uttrakhand by the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF).

MoEF in a letter dated May 10, 2013 to Alaknanda Hydropower company Limited (AHPCL) has restricted the company not to undertake any work of dislocation of the diety and had stopped all civil works associated with the Dhari Devi temple. Environmentalists and religious bodies had been fighting against submerging of the temple due to coming up Shrinagar Hydro Electric project being constructed by AHPCL.

"We welcome the MoEF move to protect and preserve the religious sanctity and character of this temple. We suggest setting up of an expert committee consisting of IItians , representatives from Engineers India Limited, Religious bodies and other related organisations to develop modified plan to save the historical temple being submerged in the reservoir of the Srinagar project. "said Mr Yatinder Pal Singh Suri, President, IItians for Holy Ganga and President, IIT Alumni Association, Kharagpur, North India Chapter.

"IItians consider both the holy rivers Ganga and Yamuna as life source of region and also a powerful symbol of cultural and spiritual renewal. The minimum ecological flows of the rivers ensuring water quality and environmentally sustainable development should be maintained "said Yatinder Pal Suri, President ,IITIANS FOR Holy Ganga Forum and President, IIT Kharagpur Alumni Association.

"Both river Ganga and Yamuna are deeply associated with the faith and civilization of the country should be saved at any cost. We appeal to the government at centre and the concerned states to save "the sacred rivers. Various schemes started by centre and States in last few years have left both the rivers more polluted. "said Mr Suri.

"We suggest to maintain regular flow in the river and remove blockages on its streams. Surprisingly, all the politicians of ruling and opposition parties, saints and seers, social activists, scientists and individuals speak about uninterrupted and clean flow of the Ganga, and Yamuna but the rivers is getting thinner and more polluted with each passing day. The question is "why is the holy rivers ailing when everybody is eager to see them healthy?" However, this question remains unanswered." Added Mr Suri.

"Our demands include include setting up of a commission to look into the problems plaguing the rivers and a Ganga Yamuna river policy and find a system to separate rivers and the sewers. No encroachment, no mining. Halt to all ongoing excessive dam projects and allowing regular free flow", Said Paritosh Tyagi - Spokesperson of the forum.

Source : Equity Bulls

Keywords