Experts blame Joshimath disaster on rampant infrastructure development, Infra News, ET Infra

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JoshimathNEW DELHI: The appearance of cracks in roads and houses across Joshimath in Uttarakhand is mainly due to rampant infrastructure development happening in a very fragile ecosystem like the Himalayas, experts said on Sunday, adding that climate change is a force multiplier.

However, a local environmental activist blamed irreparable damage to several tunnels and hydroelectric projects in and around Joshimath. Their voices were blatantly ignored, he added.

Saying Joshimath is a grave reminder that local authorities are messing up the environment to an irreversible extent, Anjal Prakash, research director and adjunct associate professor, Bharti Institute of Public Policy, Indian School of Business and lead author of the IPCC reports, told the IANS that climate change is becoming a reality.

“There are two sides to the Joshimath problem – one is the rampant infrastructure development that is happening in a very fragile ecosystem like the Himalayas and that is happening without a lot of planning process in a way where we are able protect the environment and at the same time provide basic infrastructure for the millions of people who live in these areas.

“Secondly, climate change is a force multiplier. The way climate change is manifesting in some of the mountain states is unprecedented. For example, 2021 and 2022 have been disaster years for Uttarakhand. Many events in climate hazard have been recorded as heavy rainfall events triggering landslides.

“We must first understand that these areas are very fragile and that small changes or disturbances in the ecosystem will lead to serious disasters, which is what we are witnessing in Joshimath. In fact, this is a special moment in history which must be remembered as what to do in the Himalayan region.”

According to the book “Central Himalaya” by Heim, Arnold and August Gansser, the town of Joshimath in the district of Chamoli is located on the rubble of a landslide.

A few houses had already reported cracks in 1971 after which a report suggested a few measures which included retaining the existing trees and planting more trees, the rocks on which the town sits should be impacted and cement concrete armed (BCR) should not be done.

YP Sundriyal, head of the geology department at HNB Garhwal University, told IANS that these measurements were never followed. Several experts have indicated that traditional housing construction technologies are able to withstand earthquakes and landslides much more strongly than newly built infrastructure.

Talking about the current situation, he said, the current crisis in Joshimath is mainly due to human activities.

The population has multiplied, as has tourist attrition.

The infrastructure has also grown and has not been brought under control. However, the city lacks a proper drainage system.

Besides the gradual weathering of fine materials between the debris rocks, the percolation of water has decreased the cohesive strength of the rocks over time.

According to Sundriyal, this led to landslides, causing cracks in houses.

Secondly, the construction of these tunnels for hydroelectric projects is done by blasting, creating local seismic tremors, shaking debris above the rocks, again leading to cracks.

The Himalayas are a very fragile ecosystem. Most parts of Uttarakhand are located in seismic zone V or IV which are prone to earthquakes.

Local environmental activist Atul Satti said he repeatedly warned authorities of irreparable damage caused by several tunnel and hydropower projects in and around Joshimath and other parts of Uttarakhand.

“However, our voices have been blatantly ignored and our worst nightmare has come true today. Full responsibility for Joshimath’s divestiture rests with NTPC’s Tapovan Vishnugad Hydropower Project.

“The continuous blasting in the tunnels has shaken the foundations of our town. We demand immediate action from the government which must include the immediate blocking of the NTPC project, the closure of the Chardham all-weather road (Haleng-Marwari Bypass), the implementation of the NTPC pact which secures houses, the establishment of a rehabilitation committee for Joshimath within a specified period.”

Giving a scientific point of view, Research Manager Prakash expressed his belief that the caving incident at Joshimath is caused by the hydroelectric project which has been operational in the construction of the tunnel and is the major source of concern for the residents.

The water that gushed out was shown to be from a fractured area that was punctured by the tunnel that led to the devastating situation.

“It is also under the pretext of several reports in the past. I would quote two IPCC reports, published in 2019 and 2022, which critically observed that this region is very prone to disasters. This means that a planning process very solid must follow.”

“Actually all planning should be done on a bio-regional scale which should include what is allowed and what is not and should be very strict. I am not against infrastructure development for people because these are the places of tourist interest.. I understand the fact that people in these places here have no other means of survival considering the religious place where they are.

“However, it has to be done in a planned way. We have to leave out some things and look for other ways of generating power. The cost of investing in hydropower projects is very much lower compared to the cost associated with environmental damage. and eco-friendly.. Joshimath is a clear example of what not to do in the Himalayas,” Prakash added.

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