DEVBHOOMI ... Piloting an approach to

landscape conservation

By - Tanisha Tewari

This report is about the changes and disruptions occurring in

the Devbhoomi , which I have personally experienced being a

kumaoni. It explains the natural landscape of this beautiful

state and the disruptions degrading the ecosystem and natural

landscape of this gratifying state.

PROLOGUE

This report winds up with a solicitation to

conserve the breath of ‘The Devbhoomi’.

Uttarakhand.

The distruction and detoriation of

natural landscape , an important aspect

being the life breath of the devbhoomi

inspired me to bring the present senario

under lights of action.

The devboomi, asking for consternation

and my great affection towards nature

and it’s beauty pulled my concentration

towards it. I would like to thank my

parents for their endless support and

encouragement.

.

OBJECTIVE

This research was to understand the importance of

landscape and the admirable beauty of nature which is

degrading day by day in Uttarakhand and it’s effects.

NATURAL LANDSCAPE OF DEVBHOOMI …

Landscape is the interaction between people , place and ecosystem and offers

aesthetic enjoyment, escapism, tranquility, and sense of belonging to an area

with distinct natural and cultural identity.

Devbhoomi.. Uttarakhand (The land of gods), state of natural beauty and

homely calm. The scenic view and traditional touch blends with each other.

Both the Kumaon and Garhwal regions bound with each other and heave the

beauty. The natural landscape of soaring Himalayan peaks and steamy lowland

jungles make it feel like heaven but due to regular interruptions of humans ,

this place is losing it’s accord . Nainital , Masoori , Almora , Ranikhet , kausani

are the most popular hill stations , but careless application of technology is

leading to eco-degradation ,population and pollution. Problem of water

shortage, extreme weather events such as cloud burst, erratic rainfall ,

unpredictable temperature ,etc are from last 8 to 10 years due to manmade

disturbances and now the people should realize it before it’s too late.

“The earth provides enough for every man’s need but not for every man’s greed” Mahatma Gandhi

Hill Stations Population rate 2001

2011

Nainital district

25.13% 762909 954605

Almora district 6.17% 630567 622506

Ranikhet 15% 19049 55000

FACTORS EFFECTING DEVBHOOMI :

The people of Uttarakhand who once actively participated in chipko movement (1973)are now

themselves cutting and burning their own forests and grasslands, especially the villages

experiencing need of grass for animal husbandry . Human caused wildfire and naturally caused

wildfire , both always cause a great loss of forest land as well as living organisms associated with

them. It has negative ecological effects. When asked about the firing of forests the answer was

‘Yao bhal aur nai ghas liji kar rakho’ (it is for ground clearing and for new grass naturally grown in

monsoon ). Villagers are sometimes unaware of it’s concomitants and their irresponsible

behavior make the nature suffer.

Irresponsible nature of tourists.

Devbhoomi is associated with many religious beliefs and nature lovers find the divinity in the

rich expanse of endless natural beauty here. Both gods and power of nature inspires people here.

Pilgrims going for char dham yatra, ie; Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, Yamunotri and tourists in

such and many other places unfortunately create havoc and make spots filled with sweepings .

The beautiful places are made ugly by littering etc.

Regular deforestation and wild fire.

Increasing Pollution

According to Environment protection and control this state is increasingly bearing the brunt of

pollution .In 2012 nearly 15 lakh pilgrims visited the state for char dham yatra and pollution level

increases even more. The sacred river Ganga is getting polluted even after so many efforts of

government. The ground water level is waning and CO2 pollution from fossil fuels is raising .

Public and industrial waste are dump, despite of frequent public awareness campaigns.

Illegal mining , Quarrying , .

Despite in ban on mining ,the sand mafia continues to operate . When disaster stuck in

Uttarakhand , environment activists and experts exclaimed that it was due rampant mining that

the scale of damage was so extensive . Mining activities lead to soil erosion as well as

desertification and make the state vulnerable to natural calamities. It give rise to landslides and

many times block rivers which further causes flood, eg. Alakhananda flood in in 1970.

Global warming

The climate expert and existing theories stated that tributaries are drying up and only to be

revived in monsoon and more than 1.4 billion people depend on water from Himalayas. Mrs.

Anuradha Pandey of UEEC said ‘ now it never snows in Almora anymore’ . recent studies found

that it has not snowed in Almora for 3 to 4 years and it is important source of water for farmers.

Desertification

Many limestone industries have caused sever damage to the environment and loss of top soil

with lowering to water table. Further the plants show defoliation . The construction of hill roads

involve blasting and cutting of slopes which in turn destroy the vegetation and causes erosion.

CONCLUSION

All above disturbing activities are affecting the ecosystem and its components, resulting the degradation of landscape and natural

environment of uttarakhand . Research of Indi-German Environment Program found that in the fragile ecological zone and in the

hilly areas of Uttarakhand , human activities, including agriculture cause extensive land degradation which ,in turn , adversely affect

water retention and recharge. The problem of water shortage, exacerbated by extreme weather events such as cloud burst , erratic

rainfall , unpredictable temperature ,etc, leads to detrimental effects on local people, tourists and the nature. So now it’s the time to

realize the responsibility and bring back the accord of Devbhoomi.

INTERPRETATIONS AND OBSERVATIONS

Suggestions which may help in maintaining the ecological balance in Devbhoomi are : afforestation by encouraging the plantation

of mixed trees, both conifers and broad- leaves. Ban on cutting trees on slopes as well as ban on ill legal mining. Overcrowding of

tourists in well known hill stations should be avoided.

REFERENCES

N.N Negi , Himalayan forest

Shah S.D bhatt , Himalaya environment and development , Almora.

ueppcb.uk.com