Himalayan blunders that are ravaging the Himalayas

Source– The post is based on the article “Himalayan blunders that are ravaging the Himalayas” published in “The Hindu” on 28th August 2023.

Syllabus: GS 3 – Environment and disaster management

Relevance: Himalayan ecosystem

News– The article deals with the impact of Chardham Mahamarg Vikas Pariyojna on Himalayan ecosystem. It also explains the harm caused to the Gangotri glacier by human activities.

What are some facts about the Chardham Mahamarg Vikas Pariyojna?

It is a significant infrastructure initiative covering a 900-kilometre stretch of road in Uttarakhand.

The project aimed to widen the road from single-lane to double-lane with a paved shoulder (DLPS) design spanning 12 metres.

It led to the clearance of a substantial number of trees and forest land, and the loss of human and animal lives. The fertile topsoil in the delicate Himalayan region was eroded.

The immense quantity of debris produced by the project led to the contamination of water sources.

What are issues related to Chardham Mahamarg Vikas Pariyojna?

Legally, projects exceeding 100 kilometres require environmental clearance. In this instance, the massive project was divided into 53 smaller segments, each under 100 kilometres. It was to sidestep the necessity for environmental impact assessments.

The only relatively untouched area is the Bhagirathi Eco Sensitive Zone (BESZ). This zone received protective designation in December 2012 through the Environment Protection Act of 1986.

The project could not be implemented in the Bhagirathi Eco Sensitive Zone without an approved zonal master plan and a comprehensive environmental impact assessment (EIA).

However, to facilitate the Chardham Mahamarg Vikas Pariyojna, the ZMP was hastily sanctioned. The requirements of EIA were neglected.

The approval from the BESZ monitoring committee was overseen by most of the state officials on the committee, lacking any meaningful discussion or input.

The Ministry of Road Transport’s decision to widen hill roads to a DLPS alignment contradicts its own notification.

It acknowledges the challenges of implementing DLPS standards in hilly and mountainous terrains. The notification recommends a carriageway width with intermediate lane configurations,.

The Supreme Court directed the Ministry to follow its own notification in September 2020.

However, the government cited “national security” as a reason. In December 2021, a different Supreme Court Bench allowed the government to proceed without questioning.

The Defence Ministry initially required a two-lane, seven-meter width road but later shifted to DLPS standards.

An unstable road-width design that leads to unstable mountain slopes cannot be suitable for a strategic road.

The Uttarakhand government increased the carrying capacity of all the Char Dhams, including the Gangotri shrine within BESZ, despite the BESZ notification calling for vehicular traffic regulation.

What is one of the most daunting challenges in the Ganga’s revival?

Gangotri glacier is experiencing the fastest rate of retreat.

The glacier’s melting is being exacerbated by factors such as increased vehicular traffic and instances of forest fires. It has led to the accumulation of black carbon deposits on the glacier.

A report by the Standing Committee in March 2023 on water resources highlights that black carbon is raising the temperature. This contributes to the accelerated melting of glaciers in the high Himalayas.

What should be done?

There is a need for regulation of developmental activities.

Within the Bhagirathi Eco Sensitive Zone (BESZ), the road improvement should include an intermediate road width that would cause minimal harm to the environment.

It becomes imperative to earnestly reconsider the existing Chardham Pariyojana plan.

There is a need for proactive measures for prevention and preservation. Any development activity jeopardising the lifeline for millions of people and future generations cannot be considered viable in the long run.

The Parliamentary Standing Committee has advised the MoEF against a one-size-fits-all approach to environmental clearance, particularly in ecologically sensitive areas like Joshimath