VJAS urge Prime Minister to ‘Save Mahatma Gandhi Sevagram Ashram ’

VJAS urge Prime Minister to ‘Save Mahatma Gandhi Sevagram Ashram ’

NAGPUR:May 22, 2010

When Maharshtra Govt. is setting up around 50 mega super thermal power stations in vidarbha threatening environment safety and ecology of region ,now issue of ecological damage to historical Mahatma Gandhi’s sevagram-wardha Ashram popularly known as ‘BAPU KUTI’ has been feared due to up coming Rs 1400-crore Uttam Galva Metalics Limited (UGML) at Barbadi village in Wardha which in within a 10km radius of Bapu Kuti, which is a heritage site as per order of environment ministry letter dated Feb-23,1994 when the dispute of Lloyds Steel in the adjacent bapu kuti in the village of Bhugaon was raised by Gandhian activist and then prime minister rajeev Gandhi intervened in the matter ,now as part of extention of exisitn lloyds steel plants is highly polluting industry ,failed to keep air pollution under control was under scanner of maharashtra polution control board (M.P.C.B.)

As per reports published in daily TIMES OF INDIA and I

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Gandhi ashram faces eco threat from steel co

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Gandhi-ashram-faces-eco-threat-from-steel-co/articleshow/5960345.cms

NAGPUR: "You must be the change you want to be." This quote by Mahatma Gandhi is put up on a huge signboard at the entrance of Rs 1400-crore Uttam Galva Metalics Limited (UGML) at Barbadi village in Wardha. The new twist to the change that's happening here is ironic because it's likely to cause harm to Bapu Kuti and the cluster of ashrams nearby.

In a clash of industrial development in backward Vidarbha and the protection of a national monument, rules appear to have been broken and circumvented by the steel plant being set up by UGML, whose project is an extension of Lloyds Steel in the adjacent village of Bhugaon.

Restrictions have been placed by the ministry of environment & forests (MoEF) on establishment of industries within a 10km radius of Bapu Kuti, which is a heritage site.

The MoEF letter issued on February 23, 1994 states that in 'Bapu Kuti' area, establishment or expansion of obnoxious, hazardous and polluting units are not permitted.

Bapu Kuti, a tile roof with mud and bamboo walls, was constructed as Mahatma Gandhi's quarters for less than Rs 100. Gandhiji came to Sevagram at the age of 67 on April 30, 1936 and stayed there for nearly seven years.

It was from this hut that Gandhiji planned the Quit India movement and also gave direction to India's independence movement.

Despite the environment rules, UGML's plant is nearing completion on the outskirts of Wardha town.

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Now as per Environment and Forest Ministry letter issued on February 23, 1994 states that in 'Bapu Kuti' area, establishment or expansion of obnoxious, hazardous and polluting units are not permitted and Bapu Kuti, a tile roof with mud and bamboo walls, was constructed as Mahatma Gandhi's quarters for less than Rs 100. Gandhiji came to Sevagram at the age of 67 on April 30, 1936 and stayed there for nearly seven years. It was from this hut that Gandhiji planned the Quit India movement and also gave direction to India's independence movement.

has urged Indian prime minister Dr.Mamohan singh to llok in to very serious issue of ecological damage to historical Mahatma Gandhi’s sevagram-wardha Ashram popularly known as ‘BAPU KUTI’ has been feared due to up coming Rs 1400-crore Uttam Galva Metalics Limited (UGML) at Barbadi village in Wardha which in within a 10km radius of Bapu Kuti,(VJAS) president Kishor Tiwari informed today.

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