Bhubaneswar, Aug 18 (IANS) Puri Shankaracharya Nishchalanand Saraswati has opposed a move by Uttarakhand to build hydropower projects across the Ganga, describing it as an attempt to destroy the sacred river.

Saraswati Wednesday demanded an immediate stop to the ongoing and upcoming projects, and said that in place of building such projects, Uttarakhand should try to tap alternative available sources such as surplus rain water to produce electricity.

He also extended his support to G.D. Agarwal, a noted environmentalist who has been protesting power projects on the Ganga.