Scientists of the WIHG opined that the extent of construction activities in Kedarnath would have a negative impact on this environmentally sensitive area. Apart from this, the axing of a large number of trees for execution of the all-weather road project may also impact the water security and slope stability in the mountainous regions, they said.
WIHG scientist DP Dobhal said that following the 2013 disaster, the institute had pointed out that the disaster was not completely a natural disaster as human activities had also played a part in exacerbating the devastation. The institute had submitted a report along with recommendations and guidelines to the State Government following the 2013 disaster but these are largely being ignored in the construction activities at Kedarnath. He said, “Now there is talk of detonations also being carried out in the area for construction works whereas in the mountains traditionally even whistling loudly was discouraged. The Himalayan region and especially places like Kedarnath should be left as much as possible in their natural form.”
Institute scientist Pradeep Srivastava said that the large number of trees felled for the all-weather road project would have a negative impact on water security and slope stability in the region.
From the hydrological point of view trees play a vital role in water recharging apart from being important for mountain slope stability, he added. According to the scientists concepts like 'smart city' should be different for mountain states like Uttarakhand where a town with clear evacuation/alternate routes and designated stable areas should be considered a smart city.