Unregulated development and infrastructure projects pushing the Himalayan ecosystem to the brink
Recent disasters in the Hindu Kush Himalayas, including floods and landslides in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, are being linked to unregulated construction rather than just climate change. Experts argue that the Himalayas are the world's youngest mountains and are naturally unstable. Rapid infrastructure growth, such as the proliferation of hydropower projects and highways, has ignored the region's carrying capacity. The Supreme Court has noted that 'development' often worsens the effects of climate change. Recommendations include conducting democratic public consultations, assessing carrying capacity, and ensuring that critical structures are not built in unsafe, high-risk zones.
Key Points
- The Himalayas are high-energy environments characterized by instability and extreme sensitivity to human activity and rainfall.
- There are 1,144 hydropower plants in Himachal Pradesh alone, many of which are built without proper environmental impact assessments.
- The average temperature in the Indian Himalaya is rising faster than the global average, leading to reduced snowfall and melting glaciers.
- Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) are a major threat, with over 25,000 glacial lakes identified across the Hindu Kush region.
Exam Facts
- Number of hydropower plants in Himachal Pradesh: 1,144.
- Number of glacial lakes in the Hindu Kush Himalayas: Over 25,000.
- Supreme Court bench: Justices J.B. Pardiwala and R. Mahadevan.
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