Editorial by V Selvarajan in Delhi based weekly Dwarka Express dt 21.1.2023

Joshimath and its aftermath. It is the most discussed topic in media and social platforms nowadays. It is formidable, unpredictable and beyond human conception whether it is going to be a massive disaster. A recent report justifies our trepidations as there are cracks and alarm in Karnaprayag which is just 82 kms southwest of Joshimath. Is it an indication of the ensuing calamity? Frequent landslides and cave-ins are routine occurrence for the hill dwellers and they are well accustomed to it. But flash-floods, cloudbursts and massive cracks indicate that the Himalayas speak loud about the vulnerability of man-made disasters. It has been understood that homes in a number of hill areas like Uttarkashi, Nainital, Karnprayag, Gopeshwar and Mussorie have developed major cracks. Activists have vehemently questioned the bursting of dynamite and drilling for the purpose of the Rishikesh-Karnprayag railway line project and the Char Dham road expansion Project. As usual the decision makers show callousness to the early warnings

Himalayas always have been in news whether its Ketarnath cloudburst or landslides, earthquakes or flash floods elsewhere, though the most vulnerable region in Himalayas had always been Garhwal division. From 1976 till date, several committees by various Governments sounded dire consequences if proper environmental impact assessment (EIA) is not undertaken. However, under the garb of development and economical growth, we have ignored the environmental concerns always. Whenever there is a cry from environmental organisations, the investigation panels undertake a spot visit and submit their report on the basis of physical investigation. However, such investigations reportedly do not include geophysical, geotechnical or hydrological study. It appears that the Disaster Management Authorities have come out of the hide to ensure proper investigation, of late.

So, the aftermath of Joshimath can’t be ascertained at the moment and the future of the hill dwellers and travellers are bleak. Some of the immediate priorities are evacuation, rehabilitation, stoppage of the hill cutting works and heavy explosion infra projects, besides warranting controlled population pressure and discouraging tourists to visit the affected areas. Giving a lame excuse to stop the infra projects and jeopardizing the precious lives of the people will land us nowhere.