One of the positive aspects of Diwali at least in Dehradun this year was that the noise and air pollution was lesser in some areas compared to last year. This could be attributed to factors like public awareness. The debate on whether draping homes mostly in ornamental Chinese illuminations and bursting noisy crackers to make the city sound like a battle zone is an apt way of celebrating Diwali or not, could be resumed next year during the festive season.
However, not all issues can be deferred for later or for that matter limited to debate. The conservation of the Himalayas is one such issue which should not be restricted to academic activities, intellectual discussions and drafting plans for facilitating required action and raising public awareness. As maintaining equilibrium between development and conservation is said to be an important priority of the Government, it would be natural to expect that the environmental aspect would not be ignored in execution of developmental works. However, when it comes to such works in Uttarakhand, the scientific and environmental aspects of developmental activities appear to have taken a backseat.
In general, one knows enough about the importance of the Himalayas for sustaining life in the Indian sub-continent and the impact of this mountain range in regions beyond. Instead of harping on the importance of the Himalayas, which has been talked about for decades now, it would be better to focus on the changing attitudes and priorities that clash with the Government actions and intellectual debates held on occasions like the Himalayan Day, which the State Government too has also decided to commemorate annually from September 9 next year.
After the June 2013 disaster, the Government is focusing on rebuilding the road network and infrastructure destroyed in the disaster costing many hundreds of crores of rupees. However, those who were active in Uttarakhand during the world famous Chipko Movement in the 1970s recall that then, many villagers in the mountainous regions of Uttarakhand were against the construction of roads in their areas, fearing that this would destroy agriculture, environment and their way of life. Decades later, the network of roads has been expanded and many of those living in settlements away from road heads believe that roads are vital and much needed for a better life.
However, the fears expressed by those opposing the construction of roads during the Chipko Movement don’t appear totally unfounded as the agricultural sector is now struggling to survive in the mountains while the migration of locals also continues. Scientists have repeatedly pointed out that detonations carried out for road construction have weakened the mountain structure and fueled landslides and other problems especially in recent years. About two years ago, the Forest Department had submitted a green action plan for climate change to the State Government, recommending measures like the use of ‘hot and cold’ method wherein a rock is first heated and then cooled with water.
The resulting expansion and contraction caused by swift temperature variation cracks the rock without affecting the geology of the site as in the case of detonations for demolishing cliffs. Needless to say, this method has not yet been adopted as desired and construction of roads alone continues to fail in satisfying the locals who still lack access to proper medical treatment, education and income generation activities. It would be incorrect to State that constructing roads per se damages the environment. It is the method of construction, other planning and societal aspects ignored or attended to that decide the impact of roads. How can the locals be satisfied with roads that either cause landslides or lead to hospitals facing shortage of doctors, schools facing shortage of teachers and shops selling spurious branded productsIJ
Some public representatives and activists have been demanding the formation of a separate ministry for Himalayan States and a specific policy for the Himalayan region. The locals need to be involved in the decision-making process related to conservation, they stress. However, with road construction being a major priority of the State and Central Governments especially in the Himalayan regions bordering China, can one wait for the creation of a ministry or policy to ensure scientific construction of roadsIJ One is not an expert to suggest the way ahead but the general consensus here is that there is need to utilise the vast amount of research already undertaken on the Himalayas and the environment in Uttarakhand, learn from past mistakes and act not for political gains but for really conserving the Himalayas so that the people and environment may also thrive. For a start, it would be good if the authorities stop constructing roads in a way that defeats the cause of conservation in the Himalayas and abets destruction.