Himalayan Blunders That Are Ravaging The Himalayas

Relevance: GS3 - Conservation; Disaster and disaster management

(Source: The Hindu, 08/28/2023)

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Why in the news?

• This article has highlighted the environmental degradation, seen through tragedies like swept bridges, roads, and buildings due to raging rivers in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh.
• This degradation is epitomized by frequent tragedies of infrastructure damage caused by natural disasters, highlighting the flawed developmental paradigm embraced in this ecologically fragile region.

Infrastructure Issues in Uttarakhand

• Degradation of vegetation: With the consequent loss of forest cover and extreme weather events like the 2013 Kedarnath flood, catastrophes have occurred at a steady beat in all of Uttarakhand.
• Border infrastructure: India is competing with China to build high-altitude railways. But the mountains in Tibet on the Chinese side are made of firm rock whereas most of the Himalayan Mountains are made of the more unstable shale.
• Both the Himalayas and Uttarakhand in particular also straddle an earthquake-prone zone.
• Changing nature of Char Dham yatra: It is also notable that there were no motorable roads to the Char Dham sites (Yamunotri, Gangotri, Badrinath, and Kedarnath) earlier; they all concluded in Rishikesh.

Unsustainable Road Project in Uttarakhand

• Chardham Mahamarg Vikas Pariyojna: In 2016, a massive infrastructure project involving 900 kilometers of road widening, showcases the unsustainability of development in this region. The project is implemented in the Garhwal and Kumaon regions of Uttarakhand.
  • Impact of the Project: It has led to deforestation, loss of forest land, loss of fertile topsoil, and environmental damage.
  • It has been executed by bypassing environmental regulations, breaking the project into smaller segments to avoid comprehensive environmental impact assessments.
• Dense forests in regions like Chamba, Agrakhal Maletha, Shivpuri, Rudraprayag, Chamoli, Agustmuni, Karnaprayag, and Kund are disappearing due to unsustainable projects like the Chardham Mahamarg Vikas Pariyojna.
• Amidst this destruction, the Bhagirathi Eco Sensitive Zone (BESZ) remains as the sole pristine area.

Escalating Loss of Himalayan Habitat

• Gangotri Glacier in Peril: The rapid retreat of the Gangotri glacier is now compounded by the accumulation of black carbon deposits. This grim situation arises from a combination of factors including vehicular traffic, rampant forest fires, and the intensifying pace of glacial melt.
• Threats to the Himalayan Ecosystem: The destruction unfolding across the Himalayan region is a consequence of avaricious pursuits by political, bureaucratic, and real estate entities. This unrestrained exploitation is wreaking havoc on the precious forests, rivers, and the livelihoods of countless communities.
• Conservation imperative: Safeguarding the unspoiled stretch of the Ganga necessitates a strategic approach, notably by curbing the width of roads in proximity to Gangotri. To achieve sustainable development, it is imperative to preserve the essential lifelines that the himalayan ecosystem provides.

What can be done?

• Reassess development projects: Evaluation should be done on the ongoing and proposed development projects in the Himalayan region to ensure they align with environmental regulations and sustainability principles. This includes conducting thorough Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) for all major projects and adhering to the recommendations provided.
• Implement sustainable development practices: Adopt practices that minimize the negative impact on the environment while still achieving developmental goals.
• Strengthen environmental regulations: By strengthening and enforcing existing environmental regulations to prevent the circumvention of rules for development projects. Ensure that all projects, regardless of their size or segmentation, go through a rigorous EIA process to assess potential impacts.
• Preserve ecologically sensitive areas: Designate and protect ecologically sensitive areas, such as the Bhagirathi Eco Sensitive Zone, from large-scale development. These areas should be safeguarded to maintain the delicate balance of the ecosystem.
• Promote sustainable tourism: Encourage sustainable tourism practices that minimize the ecological footprint. Implement carrying capacity limits for tourist sites to prevent overcrowding and degradation of natural resources.
  • The Uttarakhand Flood 2013 emphasizes the importance of developing sustainable frameworks for tourism centered around pilgrimage sites in the delicate hill regions.
  • It is crucial to methodically encourage the shift toward ecotourism, ensuring that exemplary approaches are cultivated and shared effectively.
• Long-term planning: By developing and implementing long-term plans for the sustainable development of the Himalayan region. These plans should account for the region's unique challenges and vulnerabilities, and include provisions for adaptive management as conditions evolve.

*To read similar article related to disasters in North India, click here A necessary brake: On altered weather patterns and infrastructure development.

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FAQs

MCQ

Question: Which of the following pilgrimage centres are included in the Chardham Project?

(a) Rishikesh, Haridwar, Varanasi, Ayodhya

(b) Badrinath, Puri, Dwarka, Rameswaram

(c) Kedarnath, Gangotri, Yamunotri, Badrinath

(d) Amarnath, Vaishno Devi, Tirupati, Sabarimala