Impacts of the Char Dham Highway Project

Source: The post impacts of the Char Dham Highway Project has been created, based on the article “A perilous highway to salvation in the Himalayas” published in “The Hindu” on 19th October 2024

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 3 – Disasters and disaster management

Context: The article criticizes the Char Dham Highway Project in Uttarakhand for causing ecological damage. A study reveals that road widening has doubled landslides, leading to fatalities. The government ignored environmental concerns and prioritized tourism over safety, risking further harm to the fragile Himalayan ecosystem.

What is the Char Dham Highway Project?

1. The Char Dham Highway Project is a 900-kilometre long, 12-metre wide, two-lane road meant to boost religious tourism in Uttarakhand.
   2. It aims to connect four sacred shrines in the Himalayas.
2. The project costs ₹12,000 crore and was initiated despite opposition from environmentalists.

For detailed information on Char Dham Project read this article here

What are the impacts of the Char Dham Highway Project?

1. Increased Landslides: Road-widening has caused 309 landslides along a 247 km stretch, with a density of 1.25 landslides per km. This has doubled the frequency of landslides, leading to road blockages and accidents.
2. Loss of Lives: Landslides have become a regular occurrence, especially during pilgrimage seasons. In the last four years, 160 people have died in landslide incidents across Uttarakhand.
3. Ground Subsidence: Joshimath has suffered land subsidence due to unplanned development and poor drainage, with temples like Tungnath facing foundation weakening and water leakage.
4. Depopulation of Villages: According to the 2011 Census, 1,053 villages in Uttarakhand are uninhabited, and more than 400 have fewer than 10 residents. Large infrastructural projects, combined with low agricultural returns, are forcing locals to leave farming and seek jobs in tourism. Local land is increasingly sold to entrepreneurs from the plains.
5. Climate Change Contribution: Climate change models predict more extreme rainfall, increasing the frequency of landslides and accidents. The researchers warn that as summer monsoon precipitation increases, the risks to the already fragile mountain ecology will rise further.

What is the government’s justification for the project?

1. The government justifies the Char Dham Highway Project by citing the need for faster, all-weather road connectivity for pilgrims and the military.
2. It argues the project will help move troops and armaments to remote areas.
3. Despite initial recommendations for a narrower road (5.5 m), the Supreme Court allowed the wider roads, prioritizing national security.
4. The government bypassed environmental clearances by dividing the project into over 50 smaller segments.
5. It highlights increased employment in tourism but overlooks environmental and local distress.

What are the larger concerns?

1. The government continues with major construction projects in fragile areas, such as plans to widen roads in the Bhagirathi Eco-Sensitive Zone.
2. Environmentalists argue that such development is unsustainable and calls for a reduction in these massive projects to protect the Himalayas from further harm.

Question for practice:

Discuss the government’s justification for the Char Dham Highway Project despite the environmental concerns.