By Col Vijay Manral (Retd)
Come the month of April, Uttarakhand starts hitting the headlines and this continues till October/November. It starts with forest fires from April, May, then the tourists from NCR flock to the hill stations resulting in huge traffic jams, the forest fires are still raging, and then the monsoon mayhem starts with the rains resulting in landslides and floods in areas closer to the rivers.
The Himalayan region is environmentally significant to us. The mighty peaks of the Himalaya prevent the monsoon winds from crossing over, even as they block icy cold and dry winds from Tibet and Central Asia. However, the region being fragile, is facing natural disasters coupled with manmade reckless development resulting in loss of life and natural resources.
These days the term ‘Carrying Capacity’ is abuzz in print and social media. It must have originated recently as we never heard or read about it during our school or college days. This carrying capacity has been exceeded due to so called sustainable development and has impacted everyone. It basically relates to the increased level of human interference that an area can withstand. We can look back and mull over these reasons.
Pilgrimage Profit – In the higher reaches the pilgrimages have turned into profit-making business with 24 x 7 generator power, gas cylinders for cooking, no waste disposal facilities and increase in habitation. Thus, causing grave environmental degradation.
Flooding in Rivers – All riverbanks have multi- storeyed buildings which fall like nine pins when the river changes its course or rivers come down as a deluge bringing in water, mud and boulders.
Natural flow blocked – Multi-storeyed buildings/resorts on hilltops have eaten into the tree cover which has also blocked the natural surface run off channels of rainwater. There is a false belief that RCC structures can offer resilience and strength. Blocking of natural water channels causes water to find new ways causing erosion and subsequent landslides
Unplanned Development – Mindless and unplanned development burdens the carrying capacity. Himalayan regions have several popular tourist areas. There must be an even balance between development, the tourism and the people living permanently in these areas.
Forest fires – It is another literally burning issue – forest cover has been destroyed by blazing fires in the past few years – a state with 70-75% forest cover will soon be denuded of this precious nature’s gift. Suspicions also point to causing of fires deliberately to remove trees to encroach upon the land slowly.
What are the measures the government and the people need to take to save the State?
Allow water to flow its natural course. Keep development above level of flood plains of rivers and streams, strict no construction zone 200 metres astride both the banks of rivers should be ensured. Let the river run its natural course meandering as it was meant to be. Scientific execution of all development projects must be ensured to the hilt and not remain documentary only.
Increase forest cover, plant Baanj, Tuni, Deodar, Fig, Buraansh and Cypress trees which increase water level and also prevent fires. Reforestation especially with native trees will manage the eco- system better. The forest department is trying its best with its Rangers, Forest Guards and Forest Watchers but the efforts are not enough to prevent fires all around. At the Panchayat level, fire prevention education is important through simple tips in pamphlets, social media videos, and banners as part of emergency management. The forest department must include villagers in forming an emergency management force in Blocks/Panchayats for the summer months in hills.
One cannot wish away pine trees and the importance of the turpentine oil, however, the state machinery needs to involve Gram Panchayats and villagers to collect the ‘pirul’ (pine leaves) which aggravate the fires and make better use of it in making briquettes, straw hats and fruit packing.
Treat the water emanating from glaciers and natural streams as sacred – a proper water management would benefit the people in the remote areas. The Naula Foundation in Kumaon is carrying out onerous and tremendous work. Surely, there are a few more organisations like it in the State.
Reduce the number of vehicles by imposing hill tax on the tourist vehicles. Introduction of bigger e-buses capable of moving up and down the hills to carry tourists must be looked into. This will further reduce reliance on privately owned vehicles and reduce traffic and pollution.
These are but a few measures which one can think of – there will be many more emerging from collective discussions amongst communities, which would assist and strengthen the State Government in its task.
We must remember that the Himalayas aren’t calling everyone but it is we who are forcing ourselves on the Himalayas, leading to calamity, deluge and fire.
(Col Vijay Manral is retired and settled in Haldwani. With a military career spanning 34 years in India and abroad, he now looks forward to contributing to ecological conservation in Uttarakhand)
