8/10/2019 Exploitation of Natural Resources in Himalayan Region

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 Exploitation of natural resources in HimalayanregionThe catastrophe in the Himalaya is the result of deforestation, unchecked constructionof dwellings and large-scale building of big dams

There is little doubt that the present Himalayan disaster has been triggered by natural events, but the

catastrophe is man-made. Let us address the various man-induced drivers. One, there is ample

scientific evidence that the Himalayan watersheds have witnessed unprecedented deforestation over

a long period. Deforestation as a commercial activity began during the British Raj and has continued

unabated after independence. While official estimates say forest cover has increased in the Himalaya,

a number of credible independent studies have found significant discrepancies in this claim. The fact

is that forests have been diverted for a host of land use activities such as agriculture, human

settlements and urbanization. Massive infrastructure development such as hydropower construction

and road building has taken place, resulting in loss of vegetative cover.

 Vegetative cover slows the speed of falling rain and prevents soil erosion and gully formation—

 theprecursors to landslides and floods. Dense vegetation also stops nearly 30-40 per cent of rainwater

from falling to the ground, thereby significantly reducing run-off. Besides holding the soil together,

forests and soil soak water from the rain, release it slowly and prevent water flowing as run-off. So,

deforestation brings about slope destabilization, landslides and floods. Given that the Himalayan

range is geologically young and still rising, it makes the area vulnerable to erosion and instability.

Therefore, it is all the more necessary to take land use change more seriously.

there is mounting evidence that global warming is fast catching up with the Himalaya. In a recent

study, we reported that Himalayan ecosystems have experienced faster rates of warming in the last

100 years and more than the European Alps or other mountain ranges of the world. In such a

scenario, we expect faster melting of glaciers causing higher water discharges in the Himalayan

rivers.

Expanding human settlements and urbanization which, besides bringing about land use changes,

offer themselves as easy targets to the fury of natural forces.While it is important to appreciate the

aspirations of the local people and their economic activities, there cannot be a lack of enforcement of

land use control laws on the part of local governments and officials. Huge building construction,

cheap hotels and individual dwellings at Uttarkashi, on the banks of the Assi and Bhagirathi rivers

have been allowed. There is little buffer between the river and the human settlement.

Large-scale dam building in recent years has caused massive land use changes with ensuing

problems in the Himalayan watersheds. Hydropower and allied construction activities are potential

sources of slope weakening and destabilization. Massive intervention in the Himalayan ecosystemsthrough manipulation of rivers and their hydrology, is linked to what we are witnessing today. Most

downstream damage in otherwise flood-free areas is caused by dams and barrages, which release

large volumes of water to safeguard engineering structures. Dam operators often release more water

during rains than the carrying capacity of downstream areas, causing floods.

BY: PRATYUSH

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