Dehradun: Authorities in Uttarakhand have dismantled an illegal temple constructed by a self-styled godman on government land at ‘Devi-kund’ on the Sunderdhunga glacier in Bageshwar district.
The temple, erected by Aditya Kailash, also known as Baba Yogi Chaitanya Akash, was situated within the eco-sensitive Nanda Devi Biosphere at an altitude of 5,000 meters.
Unauthorised temple that caused outrage
The unauthorized temple was discovered in July after locals noticed the wooden and stone structure near Devi-Kund, a sacred glacial lake situated in Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve which is one among India’s most eco-sensitive regions. Social media photos revealed that the temple even featured a swimming pool. Despite Baba Yogi Chaitanya Akash claiming divine instructions for its construction, the authorities followed the rules to conserve the eco-sensitive zone.
Administration team trekked two days for demolition
Upon discovering the unauthorized construction on government land, a 17-member team from the district administration and police dismantled the structure over the weekend. The team began their trek to the Sunderdhunga glaciers on Thursday, taking two days to reach the site. They found the temple empty and demolished it on the same day.
Kapkot SDM, Anurag Arya, stated, “No illegal activity can be tolerated in this ecologically sensitive zone. Strict action will be taken against those attempting to build such structures.” This was the administration’s second attempt to raze the illegal structure as poor weather conditions along the trek hampered the attempt made previously.
Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve
The Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve, established in 1982, is situated around the Nanda Devi peak in Chamoli Garhwal district, Uttarakhand. Inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1988, the Nanda Devi National Park features a diverse array of high-altitude habitats, supporting significant populations of flora and fauna.
It is home to threatened mammal species
Notably, it is home to threatened mammals such as the snow leopard and Himalayan musk deer, as well as a large population of Bharal, or blue sheep. According to UNESCO, the abundance of wild ungulates, Galliformes, and carnivores within the park surpasses that of similar protected areas in the western Himalayas.
