Dehradun, Jan 17: The Uttarakhand government has sealed more than 250 “illegal” madrasas and removed encroachments from over 10,000 acres of government land as part of a statewide drive against unauthorised institutions and violations of prescribed norms, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said on Saturday.
In a post on social media platform X, Dhami said the action was taken to preserve the distinct cultural identity of Devbhoomi Uttarakhand and maintain the state’s original character. “Devbhoomi Uttarakhand has its own cultural heritage. To protect this identity and ensure social balance, our government is working with full commitment,” he said.
The Chief Minister stated that illegal encroachments carried out in the name of religious structures had been removed across the state. He added that more than 250 unauthorised madrasas were sealed for allegedly imparting education in violation of established rules and norms.
“Our government’s resolve is clear there will be no compromise on Devbhoomi’s culture, social harmony, and law and order,” Dhami said.
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister on Friday virtually addressed a one day workshop on Disaster Risk Reduction and Resilience at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Roorkee. He said the workshop would focus on disaster risk mitigation, pre-disaster preparedness, early warning systems, and community participation.
According to an official release, the workshop will also deliberate on strengthening technological innovation, research collaboration, and institutional partnerships. Dhami said the recommendations emerging from the event would benefit not only Uttarakhand but the entire Himalayan region.
Referring to the state’s vulnerability to earthquakes, landslides, cloudbursts, heavy rainfall, avalanches, and forest fires, the Chief Minister said the adverse impacts of natural disasters could be minimised through scientific planning, timely preparedness, and coordinated efforts.
He highlighted Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 4P mantra Predict, Prevent, Prepare and Protect—for disaster risk reduction and said Uttarakhand is working on a 10-point agenda aligned with this vision.
Dhami said the state government is strengthening pre-disaster preparedness through AI-based early warning systems, digital monitoring, glacier research, drone surveillance, GIS mapping, satellite monitoring, rapid response teams, and comprehensive forest fire management plans.
He also noted improved coordination among the Disaster Management Department, Forest Department, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and local administration to ensure effective disaster response across the state.