Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change press release · 21 March 2026 · pibtracker filter

Union Environment Minister chairs meeting on Bhagirathi Eco-Sensitive Zone

PRID2243417 MinistryMinistry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Released21 March 2026 Reading7 min

Stakeholders Convergence essential to align Environmental Protection with Developmental Priorities in Bhagirathi region: Shri Bhupender Yadav Posted On: 21 MAR 2026 6:32PM by PIB Delhi The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) convened a high-level meeting on the Bhagirathi Eco-Sensitive Zone (BESZ), in Dehradun today. The meeting was chaired by the Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Bhupender Yadav. The deliberations centered on ensuring effective implementation of the BESZ notification. Discussions highlighted the importance of conserving the region’s rich biodiversity while harmonizing ecological priorities with local aspirations and livelihoods through a balanced and sustainable development approach. Shri Yadav underscored the need for a structured and coordinated framework for protection and conservation of rich biodiversity and ecosystem of Bhagirathi Ecosensitive Zone, which is the origin of Ganges River. He emphasized that such efforts must be anchored in scientific and evidence-based studies, integrated development planning, clearly defined institutional mechanisms, and robust monitoring and enforcement systems. Stressing that unscientific development in eco-sensitive areas often results in avoidable disasters, the Minister called for a precautionary and informed approach to mitigate risks. Shri Yadav further highlighted the importance of convergence among stakeholders to ensure that environmental protection measures are seamlessly aligned with developmental priorities, thereby safeguarding both ecological integrity and community well-being in the Bhagirathi region. The meeting was attended by the Chief Secretary, Government of Uttarakhand, senior officials of the State Government, members of the Monitoring Committee, Secretary, MoEFCC, Director General of Forests & Special Secretary (DGF&SS), and other senior officials of the Ministry. ***** VM (Release ID: 2243417) Visitor Counter : 842 Read this release in: Urdu , हिन्दी Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Union Environment Minister chairs meeting on Bhagirathi Eco-Sensitive Zone Stakeholders Convergence essential to align Environmental Protection with Developmental Priorities in Bhagirathi region: Shri Bhupender Yadav Posted On: 21 MAR 2026 6:32PM by PIB Delhi The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) convened a high-level meeting on the Bhagirathi Eco-Sensitive Zone (BESZ), in Dehradun today. The meeting was chaired by the Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Bhupender Yadav. The deliberations centered on ensuring effective implementation of the BESZ notification. Discussions highlighted the importance of conserving the region’s rich biodiversity while harmonizing ecological priorities with local aspirations and livelihoods through a balanced and sustainable development approach. Shri Yadav underscored the need for a structured and coordinated framework for protection and conservation of rich biodiversity and ecosystem of Bhagirathi Ecosensitive Zone, which is the origin of Ganges River. He emphasized that such efforts must be anchored in scientific and evidence-based studies, integrated development planning, clearly defined institutional mechanisms, and robust monitoring and enforcement systems. Stressing that unscientific development in eco-sensitive areas often results in avoidable disasters, the Minister called for a precautionary and informed approach to mitigate risks. Shri Yadav further highlighted the importance of convergence among stakeholders to ensure that environmental protection measures are seamlessly aligned with developmental priorities, thereby safeguarding both ecological integrity and community well-being in the Bhagirathi region. The meeting was attended by the Chief Secretary, Government of Uttarakhand, senior officials of the State Government, members of the Monitoring Committee, Secretary, MoEFCC, Director General of Forests & Special Secretary (DGF&SS), and other senior officials of the Ministry. ***** VM (Release ID: 2243417) Stakeholders Convergence essential to align Environmental Protection with Developmental Priorities in Bhagirathi region: Shri Bhupender Yadav" /> The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) convened a high-level meeting on the Bhagirathi Eco-Sensitive Zone (BESZ), in Dehradun today. The meeting was chaired by the Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Bhupender Yadav.  <img src="https://static.pib.gov.in/WriteReadData/userfiles/image/WhatsAppImage2026-03-21at6.45.13PMKUO2.jpeg" style="height:401px; width:602px" />   The deliberations centered on ensuring effective implementation of the BESZ notification. Discussions highlighted the importance of conserving the region’s rich biodiversity while harmonizing ecological priorities with local aspirations and livelihoods through a balanced and sustainable development approach. Shri Yadav underscored the need for a structured and coordinated framework for protection and conservation of rich biodiversity and ecosystem of Bhagirathi Ecosensitive Zone, which  is the origin  of Ganges River. He emphasized that such efforts must be anchored in scientific and evidence-based studies, integrated development planning, clearly defined institutional mechanisms, and robust monitoring and enforcement systems. Stressing that unscientific development in eco-sensitive areas often results in avoidable disasters, the Minister called for a precautionary and informed approach to mitigate risks. Shri Yadav further highlighted the importance of convergence among stakeholders to ensure that environmental protection measures are seamlessly aligned with developmental priorities, thereby safeguarding both ecological integrity and community well-being in the Bhagirathi region. <img src="https://static.pib.gov.in/WriteReadData/userfiles/image/WhatsAppImage2026-03-21at6.45.31PMJFYJ.jpeg" style="height:401px; width:602px" /> The meeting was attended by the Chief Secretary, Government of Uttarakhand, senior officials of the State Government, members of the Monitoring Committee, Secretary, MoEFCC, Director General of Forests & Special Secretary (DGF&SS), and other senior officials of the Ministry. ***** VM " /> var mPlayer = document.getElementById("background_music"); var mPlayAction = document.getElementById("playbutton"); var isPlaying = false; function playAudio() { mPlayer.play(); isPlaying = true; document.getElementById('stopA').style.display = "block"; document.getElementById('playA').style.display = "none"; 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Union Environment Minister chairs meeting on Bhagirathi Eco-Sensitive Zone

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