Swami Shivanand, founder of Matri Sadan in Haridwar, on Tuesday ended his 11-day fast after the Uttarakhand government ordered suspension of quarrying on the Ganga riverbed in the Kumbh area, pending an environmental impact assessment report.
Swami Shivanand accepted a glass of water with lime and honey after District Magistrate Senthil Pandian handed over a copy of the Government Order suspending quarrying in Vishanpur Kundi and Bhogpur. The Union Ministry of Forests and Environment had been requested to carry out an environmental impact assessment of the area, Mr. Pandian said.
The order came after Swami Shivanand refused to end fast until a written assurance was given to him during talks with Revenue Minister Dewakar Bhatt and senior officials.
The Minister had earlier threatened to resign and undertake a fast in favour of quarrying as that was necessary for keeping the riverbed low and prevent flash floods.
Locks himself in room
Swami Shivanand, who has been campaigning to protect the Ganga in the Kumbh area for over a decade now, locked himself in a room to prevent the authorities from feeding him forcibly.
The police have registered a case of attempted suicide against him.
