Marking the 6th anniversary of the Kedarnath disaster, the Uttarakhand tourism department launched an innovative project to pay tributes to those who lost their lives in the 2013 flash flood.
Under it, ‘Smriti Van’ (forest) will be created in six districts of Garhwal division. Local self-help groups will look after the forests so created.
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Planting of sapling took place in Uttarkashi, Tehri, Dehradun, Chamoli and Ruderprayag districts in Uttarakhand on Sunday.
The local administration and local organisation has presently contributed in creating the ‘Smriti Van’.
In the second phase, the family members of the Kedarnath disaster victims can plant trees in memory of their near and dear ones. For this they will have to pay Rs 2000 to the local self-help group.
Under the project, the self-help groups (SHG) have been assigned the work of maintaining the ‘Smriti Van’.
The SHGs will be uploading latest information and photograph of the forest on a mobile app. This will help the family members of the Kedarnath disaster victims to get updated information about the trees they plant in memory of their loved ones.
The family members of the victims can also contribute in maintaining the forest created in memory of the victims.
The Kedarnath disaster took place on 16-17 June 2013 and left a trail of destruction in the Mandakini valley. Scores of pilgrims lost their lives and many remain missing since the devastating disaster.
