The Doon Valley notification, which played an important role in making Mussoorie green, riddled with limestone mines, is now in the eyes of the state government. This notification beneficial for Mussoorie is proving to be a loss deal for the development plans of Doon Capital Region. This is the reason why the state government has intensified efforts to get the Doon Valley notification back.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has raised this issue with the Union Minister for Forest, Environment and Climate Change. During his stay in Delhi, the Chief Minister has submitted a letter in this regard to the Union Minister. The government argues that Dehradun has been the state capital for nearly two decades, but the provisions of the notification restrict infrastructure development of the capital region and several projects to be set up in the region.
The problems being faced by the notification:
Notification was issued in 1989 for the prevention of pollution in Doon Valley. The government is feeling that this is restricting various categories of development and industrial activities in Mussoorie and Dehradun Valley. There is a complete ban on red category industries. The approval from the State Level Environment Impact Assessment Authority is necessary for the orange category units. Any mining activity in the Valley should have the approval of the Central Government.
Tourism, land use, industry sectors most affected:
Tourism is the mainstay of the economy of the state of Uttarakhand. For tourism related schemes in the valley region, it is necessary to prepare a tourism development plan and get it passed by the Ministry of Environment. The permission of the Center is also necessary in the matter of permission for fodder, land use and industrial units. The permission of the ministry is also needed for mining and other activities.
Why notification if not limestone mines:
It is also being argued on behalf of the government that in 1989 there were a large number of limestone mines in the Doon Valley area i.e. Mussoorie area. The notification came into force to prevent pollution and environment, but at present there is no limestone quarry. Where there was damage due to mines, at present there has also been afforestation.
To get the notification back, the monitoring mechanism will be created:
The Chief Minister has requested the Central Government to withdraw the notification. It has also assured that the government will use best technology to reduce pollution from industries and projects to be set up in the Doon Valley region. The process of granting permission will be followed by creating an effective monitoring mechanism at the state level.
At present there are no limestone mines in the Doon Valley region. All the mining proposals are sent to the Union Ministry of Forest, Environment and Climate Change for approval. The Doon Valley notification should either be amended according to the present circumstances or it should be withdrawn.
