The Himalayan region is frequently in the headlines due to a series of natural disasters. Recently, the Joshimath crisis has once again underscored the fragility of the Himalayas. It is traditionally divided into four parallel ranges: (from north to south)
- Tethys (or Tibetan) Himalayas
- The Great Himalayas,
- The Lesser Himalayas and
- The Outer Himalayas (including the lowest peaks).
Additional Information:
1. The Himalayas
- The Himalayan Mountain system serves as a barrier between the Plateau of Tibet to the north and the plains of the Indian subcontinent to the south. It includes the world’s tallest mountain, Mount Everest. Traditionally, it is divided into four parallel ranges (from north to south):
- Tethys (or Tibetan) Himalayas
- The Great Himalayas
- The Lesser Himalayas
- The Outer Himalayas (including the lowest peaks).
- The Himalayas stretch over 2,500 km, accounting for 18 percent of India’s geographical area.
Data on Himalayan Disasters:
- The Himalayas have experienced 35 percent of major disasters in the last 110 years.
- Between April 2021 and April 2022, the Geological Survey of India recorded 38 landslides in Himalayan states.
- Floods are the most common type of disaster in the region, with 132 out of 240 floods in the Himalayas since 1903.
- The National Center for Seismology reported 2,687 earthquakes in Himalayan states between 2009 and 2021.
Reasons for the Fragility of Himalayas:
- Being the world’s youngest mountain range, they are highly susceptible to erosion.
- The continuous upliftment of the mountains places the region in a very high seismic zone, making it prone to natural disasters like earthquakes, landslides, and subsidence.
- Unplanned and uncontrolled infrastructure projects in the region, coupled with the Himalayas warming faster than the rest of the country, exacerbate its vulnerability to climate change.
- Lack of systematic studies to address the challenges in the region.
2. UNPLANNED GROWTH
The Himalayas are one of the world’s most densely populated mountain ranges, with urban centers acting as hubs for growth. Unplanned urbanization has been a significant contributor to increased incidents of disasters in the region.
Extent of Unplanned Growth:
- Urban population in Himalayan states increased from 11 percent in 1971 to 24 percent in 2021. In places like Uttarakhand, buildings can be seen constructed on old landslide debris or near rivers.
- Bhuvan satellite data from ISRO shows that between 2013 and 2015, Himalayan states lost a significant chunk of their forests, with Uttarakhand and Nagaland experiencing the most significant losses—over 200 sq km of forests.
Effects of Unplanned Urbanization:
- It has disrupted the hydrology of towns and cities, causing rainfall to be lost through surface runoff, leading to the drying up of springs and lakes. For example, the capacity of Bhimtal and Nainital lakes has decreased significantly due to rapid siltation.
- Food and water security is significantly impacted, with towns like Shimla experiencing water shortages and increased energy consumption.
- Tourism schemes aimed at sustainable practices, like the Chardham Project, often face implementation challenges, and high tourism negatively affects sanitation systems and generates waste in the region.
3. MEGA PROJECTS IN HIMALAYAS
The Himalayan region is considered India’s powerhouse due to its abundant water bodies and ideal topography. However, disasters linked to hydropower projects in the Himalayan region have become increasingly common in recent years.
Major Projects:
- Himalayan hydro plants currently have an installed capacity of 46,850 MW and the potential to generate 115,550 MW, according to government estimates.
- As of November 2022, Himalayan states had 81 large hydropower projects (above 25 MW) and 26 projects under construction, with another 320 large projects in the pipeline.
Disaster Events in the Region of Hydropower Plants:
- In 2012, flooding in the Assi Ganga river damaged the Assi Ganga hydroelectric projects (hep) 1 and 2.
- The 2013 Kedarnath floods severely damaged projects such as Phata-Byung, Singoli-Bhatwari, and Vishnuprayag.
- In 2021, a rock and ice avalanche entirely destroyed the Rishi Ganga project and severely damaged the Vishnugad-Tapovan hydel project.
- On December 19, 2022, a significant slope failure occurred at the Urni landslide zone in the Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh, where construction was underway at the 1,091 MW Karcham Wangtoo hydroelectric plant.
Reasons for Such Disasters:
- Most projects are run-of-the-river projects, but when the same mountain range is continuously drilled, the safety of the region is compromised.
- Scientific studies for feasibility, technical, and environmental clearances often lack a comprehensive understanding of the landscape.
- The impact of these disasters includes reduced water availability, erosion, and indirect displacement.
4. CLIMATE CHANGE IN HIMALAYAS
The Indian Himalayan region spans across 13 states and union territories. It is home to over 9,000 glaciers, which feed perennial rivers. Climate change has had a profound impact on the region.
Data on Climate Change in Himalayas:
- The region is warming at a rate of 0.15-0.6 degrees Centigrade per decade, higher than the global average of 0.074°C per decade.
- The warming climate has caused Himalayan snow cover and glaciers to shrink ten times faster over the last four decades than in the previous 700 years.
- Changing precipitation patterns have led to an increase in the frequency of floods, with almost 60 percent of floods occurring in the last two decades (2003-2022).
Reasons and Indicators of Climate Change:
- Increased levels of pollutants, such as black carbon, have settled on the snow cover, absorbing more sunlight and accelerating the melting process.
- Glaciers in the Himalayas are retreating rapidly, leading to reduced water flow in the region’s rivers.
- Thawing permafrost could make slopes vulnerable to erosion and deposit debris and sediment onto nearby rivers, leading to landslides.
Impacts of Climate Change on Himalayas:
- Glacial lake outburst floods pose a significant threat, triggered by the sudden outflow of water from glacial lakes. The rapid melting of glaciers can lead to such disasters, as seen in the 2013 Kedarnath floods.
- Forest fires have become a year-round occurrence, altering the vegetation and affecting local species. This results in changes in local species’ migration and breeding patterns.
5. SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES IN HIMALAYAS
To address the challenges posed by climate change and unsustainable activities, it is essential to study and adopt sustainable practices in the Himalayas.
| Town | Natural Springs Died (%) | Number of Wetlands Depleted | Water Discharge Decline (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shimla, Himachal Pradesh | 25 | 5 | 11 |
| Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh | 31 | 7 | 15 |
| Solan, Himachal Pradesh | 39 | 3 | 25 |
| Almora, Uttarakhand | 41 | 6 | 47 |
| Pauri, Uttarakhand | 35 | 3 | 37 |
| Ranikhet, Uttarakhand | 40 | 7 | 41 |
Sustainable Practices and Guidelines:
- Conduct comprehensive studies of the area to determine the carrying capacity of the region.
- Implement building norms in the Himalayas that provide thermal comfort through layout, design, and materials to reduce energy demand.
- Revive and promote traditional construction technologies such as Kath-kuni, Dajji Diwari, and Koti banal found in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and adopt sustainable practices in the Himalayas.
Sustainable Practices and Guidelines:
- Conduct comprehensive studies of the area to determine the carrying capacity of the region.
- Implement building norms in the Himalayas that provide thermal comfort through layout, design, and materials to reduce energy demand.
- Revive and promote traditional construction technologies such as Kath-kuni, Dajji Diwari, and Koti banal found in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Jammu and Kashmir.
- Explore templates for sustainable construction techniques published by organizations like the UN Development Programme.
- Implement water resource management techniques, including watershed management, rainwater harvesting, and spring rejuvenation, to protect water resources.
- Promote sustainable tourism practices, such as homestays, and educate residents on responsible tourism.
- Document, study, and protect the various natural practices that promote sustainability in the region.
Impediments to Sustainable Practices:
- There is a lack of comprehensive studies to assess the impact of consecutive projects.
- The Himalayan ecosystem’s limitations are often overlooked during construction, particularly in small settlements where guiding principles and regulations are minimal.
- Management of natural resources and solid waste is lacking, despite urban settlements expanding in size and complexity.
Main Questions:
In light of the Joshimath Crisis in Uttarakhand, discuss the fragility of the Himalayan region. Also, suggest ways for sustainable growth in Himalayan states.
