Halt projects that casue harm to nature: Badrinath priest

KANNUR: Expressing concern over land subsidence at Joshimath in Uttarakhand, the Rawal or head priest of the famed Badrinath shrine, Easwaraprasad Namboothiri, has urged the authorities to stop the projects that harm nature and the people of the hilltop town.
"The very concept of dharma is that no one should be harmed,"s the Rawal explained, adding that the construction of roads in the ecologically sensitive hills should be carried out without inflicting harm to nature.
"These days, there are options for environment-friendly development plans. We can do the same as in other countries. What is the whole point of bringing such projects if the people lose their villages and livelihood," Namboothiri asked. Without taking any names, the head priest of the Badrinath temple said project works are often carried out "with a vested interest of earning profits alone". The 32-year-old became the Rawal of the Himalayan temple in May 2014.