Union Environment Minister chairs meeting on Bhagirathi Eco-Sensitive Zone

• BESZ is a 4,179.59 sq km eco-sensitive zone notified by MoEFCC on 18 Dec 2012 stretching from Gaumukh to Uttarkashi in Uttarakhand, covering the origin tract of the Ganga (Bhagirathi).
• Governed via a Zonal Master Plan (ZMP) prepared by the State Govt. and approved by MoEFCC on 16 July 2020, implemented under a Monitoring Committee.
• UPSC relevance: intersects Environment (Ecology), Hydropower, Ganga conservation, Centre-State friction, Himalayan ecology.