Illicit Glacier Shrine Razed Amidst Eco-Sensitivity Concerns

Authorities dismantled an illegal structure built by a self-proclaimed godman at Sunderdhunga Glacier, Uttarakhand. The controversial building had drawn locals' ire for using a sacred pond inappropriately. Set in a UNESCO Heritage site, the structure faced demolition after complex terrain delayed earlier action.

In a decisive move, authorities have demolished a controversial structure allegedly erected without authorization by a self-styled godman at an altitude of over 14,500 feet on the Sunderdhunga Glacier in Uttarakhand’s Bageshwar district.

The operation was directed by Kapkot SDM Anurag Arya, who explained that a combined team of police, SDRF, and forest personnel embarked on a strenuous two-day trek to reach the site, located in the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Contrary to previous reports, Arya clarified that the structure was not a temple but a simple one-room building, clandestinely constructed by Chaitanya Akash after gaining the trust of local villagers.

The controversy deepened as the self-styled godman used the sacred Devi Kund pond for swimming, an act seen as desecration by locals, prompting them to alert local authorities in July. However, demolition was delayed due to the challenging terrains and adverse weather conditions, compounded by the location's heightened risk of natural disasters. Despite these obstacles, action was undertaken to uphold the area's eco-sensitive status.

(With inputs from agencies.)