Bunkers to be built along China border: Gangotri National Park set to transfer land to army
Tuesday, 20 June 2023 | PNS | DEHARDUN
In view of the increased intensity in China’s military exercises across the border and changes being made in the Chinese military structural framework, Gangotri National Park has agreed to hand over 51 hectares of land to the army and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) to build bunkers. Given the seriousness in the situation, the process of transferring this land situated in Uttarkashi district in the proximity of the Indo-China border has already started.
As the land to be transferred, located in Nelong and Jajung in Uttarkashi district bordering China, comes under the Gangotri National Park, no new construction can be erected without the permission of the park administration. However, in view of the army urgently needing the land for expanding its military infrastructures, a proposal had been sent to the Centre asking for transfer of 51 hectares of land.
Speaking of the matter, deputy director of Gangotri National Park R N Pandey said that the director Rajaji Tiger Reserve Saket Badola had inspected Gangotri National Park two days ago during which he had met some senior army officers who told him about their correspondence with the Central government about the need of the transfer of land on the international border. Thereafter Badola had directed the Gangotri National Park officials to start the land transfer process, Pandey said and added that following this direction the park administration has started the land transfer process.
Notably, during the 1962 Indo-China border conflict, the Indian Army and ITBP had developed camps, outposts and bunkers in Uttarkashi district of present-day Uttarakhand State. These still exist. However, with China’s a military expansionist exercises being increasingly seen in this area, the Indian army feels the need of reciprocal action in terms of expansion of its own military infrastructure to combat any aggression from across the border. As the army and ITBP need to build bunkers and outposts, they sent the proposal to the Centre for the transfer of 51 hectares of land located in Gangotri National Park. The matter has been prioritised in view the sensitiveness inherent in the situation.
