On the fragile Himalayan ecosystem – Development must take all its risks into account

Source: This post on the fragile Himalayan ecosystem is based on the article “Development must take all its risks into account” published in Live Mint on 15^th November 2023.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 3 Disaster and Disaster Management.

News: The article discusses frequent accidents in India during development projects like tunnel and dam construction. These incidents often happen in sensitive Himalayan regions, causing environmental and safety concerns. It emphasizes the need for careful planning and stronger safety measures.

What are the reasons for the recent development accidents in India?

Sensitive Himalayan Terrain: Many accidents occur in the fragile Himalayan region, which is prone to landslides and seismic activities. For instance, the collapse of the Uttarakhand tunnel and the landslide at the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border hydroelectric project are examples of this.

Rapid Infrastructure Development: The push for quick infrastructure growth, like the Char Dham Yatra project in Uttarakhand, often overlooks the environmental and safety aspects.

Environmental Ignorance: Projects often neglect the unique environmental conditions of the Himalayas. The damage in Joshimath, attributed to heavy construction, showcases this issue.

Climate Change Impact: Increased instances of flash floods, like the one affecting the Chungthang Dam, are partly due to climate change effects on the region.

Why are these accidents concerning?

Risk to Human Life: These incidents pose significant dangers to human lives, as seen in the 40 workers trapped in the Uttarakhand tunnel.

Frequency and Scale: The regular occurrence of these accidents during development projects indicates systemic issues in planning and safety.

Potential Economic Impact: Such mishaps can adversely affect local economies, which are often reliant on these development projects for growth.

Long-Term Consequences: These accidents can have lasting impacts on local ecosystems and communities, affecting livelihoods and natural resources.

What is the Char Dham Project?

Char-Dham Road Project is a prestigious two-lane expressway project. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways is executing this program in Uttarakhand.

Purpose: The project proposes widening roads up to 10 meters to improve the accessibility to Char-Dham (shrines); Yamunotri, Gangotri, Badrinath, and Kedarnath.

For more information on Char Dham Project, read here

What initiatives have been taken for the restoration of the Himalayan Ecosystem?

The government has taken the following initiatives for the restoration of the Himalayan Ecosystem.

National Mission on Sustaining Himalayan Ecosystem– It was launched in 2010 and covers 11 states (Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, all northeast states and West Bengal) and 2 UTs (J&K and Ladakh). It is one of the eight missions under the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC).

SECURE Himalaya Project– It is a part of “Global Partnership on Wildlife Conservation and Crime Prevention for Sustainable Development” (Global Wildlife Program) funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF). It promotes sustainable management of alpine pastures and forests in the high range Himalayan ecosystems.

Mishra Committee Report 1976– The committee recommended placing restrictions on heavy construction work, blasting and felling of trees in the Himalayan region.

For detailed information on Ecological health of Himalayas, read here

What should be done?

Strict Geological and Environmental Scrutiny: Projects in sensitive regions like the Himalayas should undergo rigorous environmental impact assessments. This can prevent incidents like the Joshimath structural damage.

Risk Assessment: Before approval, all major projects should have a detailed risk analysis, including the resilience of structures. The Uttarakhand tunnel incident exemplifies the need for such assessments.

Balancing Development and Safety: While infrastructure development is essential, it should not compromise safety standards. The frequent mishaps in recent times, like the Chungthang Dam damage, underline this need.

Addressing Climate Change Impacts: Recognizing and planning for the effects of climate change, which can lead to events like flash floods, should be a priority in project planning.

Question for practice:

Discuss the major challenges and risks associated with infrastructure development in India’s Himalayan region.