The Uttarakhand government has sealed more than 250 "illegal" madrasas and removed encroachments on over 10,000 acres of government land as part of a major drive against unlawful institutions and violations of prescribed norms, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said.
Drive Against Illegal Madrasas and Encroachments
In a post on social media platform X on Saturday, Dhami said, "Devbhoomi Uttarakhand has its own distinct cultural identity. To preserve this heritage and maintain the state's original character, our government is working with full commitment."
He stated that in the name of religious structures, illegal encroachments on over 10,000 acres of government land have been removed across the state.
The Chief Minister said the action also included sealing more than 250 unauthorised madrasas where, according to him, "radical education was being imparted against the rules."
"Our government's clear resolve is that there will be no compromise with the culture of Devbhoomi, social balance, and law and order," Dhami said.
CM Addresses Workshop on Disaster Risk Reduction
Dhami, on his part, participated in a one- day workshop on Disaster Risk Reduction and Resilience at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Roorkee, virtually on Friday.
The Chief Minister said that the workshop would be a series of deep discussions on subjects of great importance like disaster risk reduction, pre, disaster preparedness, early warning systems, and community participation. Besides, concrete strategies would be framed to implement technological innovation, research collaboration, and partnerships more effectively, he said, as per a statement.
From the workshop's recommendations, he added, the entire Himalayan region, along with Uttarakhand, would benefit.
The Chief Minister said that the negative consequences of natural disasters in Devbhoomi Uttarakhand, earthquakes, landslides, cloudbursts, heavy rainfall, avalanches, and forest fires, could be avoided if a scientific model, timely preparedness, and the collective efforts of the people were utilized.
The Chief Minister mentioned that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has introduced the 4P mantra, Predict, Prevent, Prepare, Protect, for disaster risk reduction and that they are working on a 10 point agenda which will be in line with this vision.
He revealed that the State Government is constantly putting efforts in pre, disaster preparedness, AI, based warning systems, digital monitoring systems, glacier research centre, drone surveillance, GIS mapping, satellite monitoring, rapid response teams, forest fire early warning systems, and a complete forest fire management plan.
The Chief Minister stated that the main department of disaster management, the forest department, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and the local administration have been brought together to work more efficiently and in an orderly manner for the smooth running of disaster management throughout the state.
