The trail of destruction—including floods, landslides, and land subsidence—in the Himalayan region, which has at times triggered even bigger floods in the plains below (as in Punjab), has finally led to a broader realization of the immense costs of indiscriminate construction and so-called ‘development’ in this ecologically fragile zone. The Supreme Court has taken notice, and one hopes that the authorities will at least heed the voice of the highest court.
As someone who has long reported on these issues and witnessed firsthand how early concerns raised by the Chipko movement and anti-Tehri dam protests were sidelined by authorities, I am deeply worried. Those unaware of the Himalayan region’s vulnerability—or at least insensitive to its ecological challenges—may once again ignore the warnings once the days of high-visibility floods have passed. Therefore, I wish to emphasize what some leading experts have recently stated.
In a detailed report on the Kiratpur-Manali Highway titled “Himalayas Pay for NHAI’s Misstep” (published in the Chandigarh/Himachal edition of The Times of India, September 18), the insightful reporter Rohit Mullick, after describing the numerous landslides and closures caused by indiscriminate construction, quoted several eminent experts. One of them, Om Narain Bhargawa, former Director of the Geological Survey of India, stated: “What has been done to the Himalaya is horrible. Vertical slope cutting is the main factor behind deforestation, causing frequent landslides on this highway.” S.P. Sati, a well-known geologist from the Himalayan region, added: “The highway from Mandi to Kullu is built on geologically weak terrain. It’s not made of hard rock but of loose material. If you cut such a hill vertically and use blasting and unscientific tunneling methods to widen a road, it further weakens and destabilizes the entire hill system. Disaster is bound to happen in such a scenario.”
A pressing question before us is this: despite clear expert opinion highlighting serious mistakes, will the NHAI and other project authorities—including dam builders and promoters of indiscriminate construction—finally wake up to their responsibility for environmental protection and public safety?
The Indian Himalayas stretch majestically for nearly 2,500 km across 13 states and union territories. Nearly 50 million people live here, but the number of people whose lives are closely influenced by the Himalayas is many times greater, especially in the densely populated Gangetic plains.
Despite their grandeur, the Himalayas are geologically young and fragile formations, prone to disturbances. Most of the region falls within the highest seismicity zone. Hence, policies for this region must take extra care to protect the environment—particularly forests and rivers—as well as the people living here and the much larger population influenced by developments in the Himalayan region.
At the national level, discussions about the Himalayas often focus on tourism and pilgrimage destinations. However, greater attention must be given to the lives and livelihoods of ordinary people living in the region, and to protecting the environment in ways that ensure the Himalayas remain a source of protection both locally and more broadly. Cooperation with other Himalayan countries should also be based on shared ecological concerns and minimizing conflict, as far as possible, given geopolitical realities.
The Himalayas—with their varying heights, slopes, peaks, and valleys—are ideal for preserving rich biodiversity. Traditional farming practices have made good use of this diversity to provide nutritious food, particularly rich in millets and herbs. Some farm scientists trained in Green Revolution monocultures failed to appreciate these strengths, introducing disruptive crops and technologies in some areas. Fortunately, this mistake is now being recognized in several places. Initiatives to promote organic and natural farming—led by Sikkim and visible elsewhere—are welcome, though a holistic approach to natural farming is often missing from official efforts.
Forests are crucial for protecting Himalayan ecology. With care and understanding, they can also play a vital role in supporting sustainable livelihoods for local communities. This involves providing livelihoods through forest protection and biodiversity conservation, regenerating mixed natural forests with indigenous, soil- and water-conserving species, and granting better rights over the sustainable use of minor forest produce. A rural economy based on protective livelihoods—fruits and dry fruits, organic farm produce (raw and processed), and eco-friendly tourism and pilgrimage—can offer a stable livelihood base without endangering the environment.
Unfortunately, not just tourism but even pilgrimages are becoming highly commercialized, with record numbers of helicopter sorties ferrying pilgrims to favored shrines. Instead of allowing commercial interests to dominate, we must prioritize environmental protection and the livelihoods of ordinary hill people.
There has been considerable controversy around several large development projects, particularly dams and highways. The time has come for the government to allow a completely unbiased evaluation of their overall impact, so that future policy is guided by the most objective conclusions drawn from past experience. Key concerns include deforestation, slope destabilization and landslides, displacement of people, and—most seriously—the risk of massive disasters.
The role of hydel projects in aggravating the catastrophic floods in Uttarakhand in 2013 has been widely discussed. A committee appointed at the Supreme Court’s initiative also highlighted this issue. We must not forget that around 6,000 lives were lost in those floods—perhaps more. Avoiding such disasters must be a top priority. More than one officially appointed committee has flagged serious risks associated with the Tehri Dam Project in Uttarakhand. We must not ignore or dismiss these well-documented warnings, supported by scientific evidence and voiced by eminent experts.
Sunderlal Bahuguna devoted his life to protecting Himalayan ecology and promoting sustainable livelihoods. He often said, “Ecology is permanent economy.” He undertook long foot marches to hundreds of villages to find practical ways of applying this principle. He and his companions made significant contributions in this direction.
They emphasized that ecological tasks cannot be pursued in social isolation. Hence, they also championed justice for women and advocated for broader social roles for them. Women have justified this trust by playing key roles in the Chipko movement, anti-liquor campaigns, and peace initiatives.
These activists also promoted equal opportunities and empowerment for Dalits, as well as interfaith harmony. Their work offers valuable guidance for developing a socio-economic and ecological agenda for the Himalayan region—one that integrates justice with environmental concerns.
Some Himalayan regions are affected by open or simmering public discontent, as recent events have shown. If protective policies are developed along the lines suggested above—through participatory processes involving local communities, addressing real needs, and integrating environmental protection—then the chances of discontent escalating will be minimal. We must integrate protective policies at both environmental and social levels.
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The writer is Honorary Convener, Campaign to Save Earth Now. His recent books include Protecting Earth for Children, Planet in Peril, Man Over Machine, and A Day in 2071
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