Other States - Uttaranchal   

Plan to study satellite imageries of Neelkanth

Dehra Dun: The Geological Survey of India (GSI) would study satellite imageries of Neelkanth peak, nestling in Garhwal hills, to find out whether some cracks have appeared on the mountain's top.

The move comes in the wake of unsuccessful attempts by GSI scientists to conduct an aerial survey of the 20,640 feet high mountain in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand due to bad weather.

"We have now decided to study the satellite imageries of Neelkanth. Our GSI experts can find out whether cracks have actually appeared on the mountain on the basis of the imageries," GSI Director P. C. Nawani said.

Environmentalists like Chandi Prasad Bhatt, a Magsaysay award winner, have expressed fears that the cracks on the mountain can impose threats on Badrinath temple, where lakhs of pilgrims from home and abroad visit every year.

Cracks can also create avalanches which in turn can pose danger to the Badrinath Shrine, Bhatt said.

Stating that the whole Badrinath area is highly seismic prone, Bhatt said he has written a letter to the Union Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta in this regard. -- PTI

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

SDM held for taking bribe
Plan to study satellite imageries of Neelkanth

Copyright © 2007, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu