Challenges faced by towns in the Indian Himalayan Range due to rapid urban growth

Source: The post challenges faced by towns in the Indian Himalayan Range due to rapid urban growth has been created, based on the article “Why Himalayan towns need a different kind of development” published in “The Hindu” on 9th August 2024

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 3-Conservation, Environmental Pollution and Degradation, Environmental Impact Assessment.

Context: The article discusses the challenges faced by towns in the Indian Himalayan Range due to rapid urban growth. These towns struggle with managing civic issues, suffer from poor planning, and face environmental degradation, urging the need for eco-friendly, resilient urban planning.

For detailed information on Unsustainable development in the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR) read this article here

What is Happening in IHR Towns?

1. The Indian Himalayan Range (IHR) towns saw over 40% urban growth from 2011 to 2021.
2. Major towns like Srinagar and Guwahati struggle with sanitation, waste management, and water supply.
3. In Kashmir Valley, excluding Srinagar, only 15 executive officers serve over 40 urban local bodies.
4. Water bodies in Srinagar decreased from 19.36 square kilometers to 14.44 square kilometers.
5. Built-up real estate in Srinagar increased from 34.53 square kilometers to 60.63 square kilometers.
6. Nearly 90% of liquid waste in these towns enters water bodies untreated.
7. This expansion leads to the loss of natural spaces, deforestation, and pollution, worsening environmental degradation in the region.

Why is This Happening?

1. Rapid Urbanisation: IHR towns saw over 40% urban growth from 2011 to 2021, straining resources and infrastructure.
2. Poor Planning: Cities use unsuitable models from the plains, leading to inefficient management; city governments are understaffed by 75%.
3. Environmental Degradation: In Srinagar, built-up areas increased by 75.58%, while water bodies shrank by 25% from 2000 to 2020.
4. Tourism Pressure: Tourism grew at 7.9% annually from 2013 to 2023, leading to unsustainable infrastructure and resource use.

5.Climate Change: Altered precipitation and rising temperatures worsen water scarcity, deforestation, and pollution.

What Should be Done?

1. Map Vulnerabilities: Towns should be mapped for geological and hydrological risks to prevent infrastructure damage from climate-induced disasters.
2. Involve Locals in Planning: Use a bottom-up approach in urban planning, ensuring local participation.
3. Shift to Climate-Resilient Design: Replace consultant-driven plans with climate-resilient urban designs tailored for the Himalayas.
4. Improve Urban Financing: Increase intergovernmental transfers to urban local bodies from 0.5% to 1% of GDP for infrastructure needs.
5. Focus on Sustainability: Prioritize eco-centric planning and involve public discussions on sustainable urban futures.

Question for practice:

Discuss the challenges faced by towns in the Indian Himalayan Range (IHR) due to rapid urban growth and the measures that can be taken to address these issues.