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General Studies Paper – III: Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity, Environment, Security, and Disaster Management
Context
The Himalayas are not only India’s geographical boundary but also the ‘water tower’ and climate regulator of South Asia. Historically, the Himalayas were considered a stable and impenetrable shield. However, in the last half-century, uncontrolled urbanization, tourism pressure, and mega-infrastructure schemes like the ‘Chardham Road Project’ have challenged its geological stability. Currently, this region is passing through the most dangerous phase of the ‘Anthropocene’ (the age of human intervention), where the definition of development appears limited to the exploitation of nature.
Himalayan Vulnerability:
The Himalayas are the youngest and most fragile mountain range in the world. The main reasons for its vulnerability are as follows:
- Tectonic Activity: The continuous sliding of the Indian Plate beneath the Eurasian Plate keeps this region seismically in ‘Zone IV’ and ‘V’ (highly sensitive).
- Erosion and Slope Instability: The rocks here are sedimentary and brittle. The vibration and blasting from heavy machinery loosen the grip of the soil.
- Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF): Due to rising temperatures, lakes formed behind glaciers are on the verge of bursting, acting like a ‘time bomb’ for the cities settled below.
Why in News?
- The recent dispute concerns the Dharali and Harsil areas located in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand.
- these areas were recently hit by a devastating avalanche followed by a flash flood. Despite this, the government is pushing forward a massive infrastructure project, under which the destruction of nearly 7,000 rare Deodar trees and local biodiversity is proposed.
- This project raises serious questions about the impartiality of the ‘Environmental Impact Assessment’ (EIA).
The Horrifying Report Card of 2025
The year 2025 has been recorded as a warning in Himalayan history:
- Continuity: 331 days of the year remained under the impact of extreme weather events.
- Mortality Rate: More than 4,000 people died due to climate-induced disasters this year alone.
- Affected Areas: The Kullu-Mandi belt of Himachal and the Alaknanda-Bhagirathi basin of Uttarakhand were the most affected.
- New Normal: ‘Land subsidence’ is no longer limited to Joshimath; cracks have been seen in many villages of Kishtwar and Chamoli.
Development vs. Destruction: Policy Paradox
A clear ‘Policy Paradox’ is visible in Indian policy-making:
- Ignoring EIA: The tendency to bypass the mandatory ‘Environmental Impact Assessment’ by dividing road projects longer than 100 km into small segments.
- Disaster Management vs. Disaster Creation: On one hand, the ‘National Disaster Management Authority’ (NDMA) talks about vigilance, while on the other, heavy construction is being permitted on sensitive slopes.
- The Illusion of Afforestation: Planting new saplings elsewhere in exchange for 7,000 old Deodar trees is not ‘ecological replacement,’ as Deodar takes centuries to flourish.
Socio-Economic Impact
- Ecological Refugees: Migration from the mountains has increased due to disasters, leading to demographic pressure on the plains.
- Livelihood Crisis: The washing away of fertile agricultural land in landslides and the destruction of apple orchards are hollowing out the mountain economy.
- Cultural Loss: The erosion of Himalayan culture is occurring as centuries-old monasteries and villages face extinction.
Diplomatic and Strategic Dimensions
A large part of infrastructure construction in the Himalayas is linked to military security:
- The China Challenge: In response to Chinese construction on the Line of Actual Control (LAC), India needs rapid connectivity.
- Strategic Autonomy: If the mountains become unstable, the army's supply lines could be blocked during a war, which is a risk to national security.
- Regional Leadership: India’s status as a ‘Net Security Provider’ depends on its disaster management skills. Himalayan disasters affect India’s soft power in South Asia.
The Way Forward:
- Cumulative Impact Assessment: There should be an investigation into the combined impact on the entire river basin, not just a single project.
- Zoning and Demarcation: A complete ban on any type of heavy construction in ‘Eco-Sensitive Zones.’
- Alternative Technology: Use of state-of-the-art tunneling technology and bio-engineering methods for ‘slope stabilization’ instead of blasting.
- Formation of a Himalayan Council: An integrated body for Himalayan states to monitor only eco-friendly development.
Conclusion
The conservation of the Himalayas is not just an environmental issue but a matter of India's existential security. A concept of development that sows the seeds of destruction in its very foundation cannot last long. The Deodars of Dharali and Harsil are not just trees but the lungs of the Himalayas. India must place ‘Ecology’ above ‘Economy’ in its ‘Mountain Policy,’ because as Gandhiji said— "Nature has enough for everyone's need, but not for greed."