Himalayas On The Edge

The Indian Express     19th February 2021     Save    

Context: The Himalayas are a divine entity and like its presiding deity, Lord Shiva, it can be both benign and destructive. Immediate regulation of all activities is urgently needed.

Significance of The Himalayan ecosystem:

  • Cultural: Source of the Vedas, Upanishads etc., Kumarasambhavam of Kalidasa referred it as ‘devatatma’ a great spiritual presence.
  • Geo-Economic: Source of rivers like the Ganga, irrigating and feeding large population.

Threats to the fragile Himalayan Ecosystem

  • Developmental Activities: leading to Ganga river degradation.
    • Hydropower projects
      • Direct effect: obstruction of the flow of rivers enhancing floods downstream.
      • Indirect effect: mass-scale deforestation, loss of water sources, fragmentation of river length, soil loss etc
    • Construction and other activities: the ambitious Chardham railway project, unregulated tourism, building of resorts.
  • Climate Change: leading to unprecedented disaster like winter flash floods.
  • Uttarakhand as a hotspot: Simultaneous activities like Chardham pariyojana, hydroprojects, Chardham railway project, unregulated tourism, resorts etc. create a cumulative effect
  • Natural factors: forest fires, soil erosion and landslide prone hills.

        Administrative Enforcements: 

        • Ravi Chopra committee: to investigate the role of hydropower projects after the disaster of 2013.
        • An Inter-ministerial group (IMG) in 2013 recommended- seven tributaries of the Ganga, including the Rishi Ganga, be left untouched

        Measure to be taken:

        • Afforestation: Green cover as a buffer to minimise the impact of climate change & help retain water
          • 2018 NITI Aayog report cautioned 60 % water sources in the Himalayas drying up
        • Sustainable Himalayan Policy
          • Creative federalism: Coordination and support from all Himalayan States- Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim and West Bengal (Darjeeling). 
          • Declare Eco-sensitive zones (ESZ) in the upper Himalayan valley as done for Bhagirathi Valley
          • Strategic environment impact assessments (SEA) in place of routine project-based environment impact assessment (EIA) as suggested by G B Mukherjee Commission.