The Gaura Devi environment programme was organised in the remote Urgam valley in Joshimath block of Chamoli district on the occasion of world environment day on Sunday. The Chief Minister Harish Rawat was slated to reach the venue to address the gathering but could not arrive here due to inclement weather which prevented flying by helicopter to the area.
This caused some disappointment among some of the local villagers who were expecting some announcement by the CM regarding exploitation of the pilgrimage and tourism aspects of this remote valley for boosting income generation among the locals.
It should be mentioned here that the remote Urgam valley in Chamoli district is considered to be especially important due to the religious and environmental aspects of this region which could generate considerable income for the locals if pilgrimage and eco-tourism activities are facilitated.
Among the Panch Kedar shrines, the Kalpnath shrine and among the Panch Badri shrines, the Dhyan Badri temple is located in this region. The Badrinath MlA Rajendra Singh Bhandari inaugurated the programme as the chief guest due to the inability of the chief minister to arrive here. This caused disappointment among some of the villagers who were expecting that the Chief Minister would make some major announcement for the valley.
However, observers opine that great care needs to be observed while capitalising on the tourism potential in such environmentally rich and sensitive areas considering the environmental and cultural degradation being witnessed in various historical, religious sites and environmentally rich areas due to indiscriminate and ill-planned activities focused mainly on income generation at the cost of native traditions linked with the religious beliefs and environment-friendly practices of the native community.
