The Himalayan region is the biggest source of freshwater in India but the tunnelling, dumping of debris in rivers and other actions carried out for works like the all weather road project are causing severe environmental damage. Due to such works, the geologically young Himalayan range is in condition akin to a youngster afflicted by a strange fever and is likely to react in a way that will damage humans, said the ‘Waterman of India’ Rajendra Singh.
Talking to mediapersons on the sidelines of the national conference at WIHG, the noted environmentalist expressed concern at the works being carried out in the mountains without respect for the Himalayan ecology. He said, “The Himalaya is geologically young and the indiscriminate activities in the name of development are shaking and weakening this mountain system. The felling of numerous trees has created a kind of fever afflicting the mountains. like a youth disturbed, the Himalaya will hit back if such unsustainable actions continue.”
He further said that the solution to this problem lies in three basic measures. Firstly, effective steps must be taken to harvest rain water so that it fills up ground water sources instead of eroding land and silting rivers. Secondly, it is essential to have a specific Himalaya policy as the 21st century is not mainly for development but for rejuvenation.
Thirdly, in agriculture the crop cycle should be aligned with rain cycle. Climate change adaptation is more effective than mitigation, he said. Replying to a query on the impacts of large dams in the region, he said that none of the governments so far have respected the right of a river. At a time when the ecological flow of the Ganga is threatened, such work sans respect for Himalayan ecology will lead to disastrous results, he added.