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The Times of India
The Times of India
National
Shivani Azad | TNN

Uttarakhand: At 13,500 ft, Hemkund helipad threatens biodiversity, say locals

DEHRADUN: A high-altitude helipad being constructed in Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve's (NDBR) buffer zone, near the Hemkund Sahib gurdwara in Garhwal Himalayas, has begun to face sustained protests from villagers who say that plying of choppers to ferry pilgrims would disturb wildlife and harm the extremely sensitive topography of the region at 13,500ft. They have raised the issue with the Chamoli district administration and threatened a "massive protest" if the construction is not stopped.

Located in Atlakudi, the area is in the buffer zone of the Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO world heritage site, which also houses the Valley of Flowers.

The region remains covered by snow for almost eight months and forms one of the finest habitats of Himalayan wildlife, like snow leopards, musk deer, Himalayan bear, along with monals and medicinal herbs (like 'Himalayan Viagra') and endemic rare flowers such as blue poppy and Brahmakamal. Moreover, it has many glaciers, a source of several rivers.

Questioning the move, social activist Atul Sati said, "They have cleared a ropeway for Hemkund, then why do they need a helipad? Is it just for the benefit of chopper firms and the business lobby? What about the glaciers which will melt by the pollution of choppers and the genuine fear of avalanche?"

Local experts pointed out that back in the '80s, due to the rarity of the flora and fauna of this landscape, even grazing was stopped. In fact, the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology has stated that Atlakudi trek is prone to avalanches which claimed over 20 lives in 1998 and 2008.

This year, in early April, one of the glaciers in Hemkund started melting, indicating the impact of rising heat in the mountains. DFO of NDBR, Nand Ballabh Sharma, said, "A 600-sqm plot was handed over by the forest department in April 2022. A clearance from the state wildlife board was not required as the chief wildlife warden had approved it. This helipad will be used for emergency purposes only."

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