Context
The recent floods and landslides in Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Kashmir have once again exposed the fragility of the Himalayas. Unregulated construction, deforestation, and infrastructure expansion have intensified the risks of natural disasters in this ecologically sensitive zone. Both experts and the Supreme Court have warned that unchecked “development” is pushing the mountains to the brink of collapse.
The Himalayas – An Overview
- Youngest and highest fold mountains in the world, stretching 2,400 km across India, Nepal, Bhutan, China, and Pakistan.
- Width: 150–400 km | Average elevation: 6,000 m+.
- Act as northern boundary of the Indian subcontinent and a climatic, cultural, and ecological divide.
- Home to peaks like Mount Everest (8,849 m) and Kanchenjunga (8,586 m).
Formation of the Himalayas
- 200 million years ago: Supercontinent Pangaea split into Laurasia (north) and Gondwana (south).
- Tethys Sea sediments accumulated over millions of years.
- 140 million years ago: Indian Plate broke away, drifting north at ~15 cm/year.
- 50 million years ago: Collision with Eurasian Plate → compression and uplift → formation of the Himalayas.
- Ongoing process: Himalayas still rising by ~5 mm/year.
Himalayan Fragility
- Geologically young – naturally prone to landslides, earthquakes, and erosion.
- Climate-sensitive – warming at rates higher than global average → glacier retreat, erratic rainfall.
- High-energy environment – steep slopes + fast rivers → floods and soil erosion.
- Glacial Lakes – Over 25,000 lakes, many prone to Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs).
- Biodiversity hotspot – damage threatens both ecology and livelihoods.
Drivers of Himalayan Degradation
- Unregulated infrastructure – highways, tunnels, hydro projects with heavy blasting.
- Deforestation – removal of soil-binding trees like deodar.
- Hydropower dominance – excessive damming alters rivers, raising disaster risk.
- Weak EIAs – diluted or bypassed Environmental Impact Assessments.
- Tourism boom – hotels, roads, and mass footfall strain fragile ecosystems.
Consequences of Unsustainable Development
- Human loss – disasters like Kedarnath (2013) and Chamoli (2021) caused mass deaths and displacement.
- Ecological damage – soil erosion, biodiversity decline, and forest degradation.
- Disaster multiplication – heavy rainfall turns into flash floods and landslides.
- Economic setbacks – destruction of infrastructure, agriculture, and tourism revenues.
- Social stress – erosion of community trust in governance.
Way Forward
- Mountain-specific policies – based on carrying capacity.
- Stricter EIAs – independent and mandatory before approvals.
- Nature-based solutions – afforestation, slope stabilisation, watershed management.
- Community-led development – eco-tourism, climate literacy, local governance.
- Diversified energy mix – shift from hydropower reliance to solar, wind, decentralised renewables.
Conclusion
The Himalayas are at a tipping point, where reckless human activity and climate change together magnify disaster risks. A balanced development model that safeguards ecology, empowers local communities, and integrates sustainability is essential. Protecting these “living mountains” is not just about environmental preservation—it is about ensuring the long-term resilience and survival of millions who depend on them.
Source : The Hindu
