07/08/2025
हिमालय जितना ऊँचा है, उसकी समस्याएं भी उतनी ही बड़ी हैं।
And still, we act surprised each time disaster strikes.
The recent Uttarkashi flash flood was not just another cloudburst.
It was a reminder.
Of the collapsing glaciers. Of deforested hills. Of development gone rogue.
When rivers rise in minutes, roads vanish, families disappear, and entire villages are cut off, it’s no longer an unpredictable event.
It's a crisis. One we helped create.
We cut down native trees in eco-sensitive zones.
We push highways, resorts, and concrete through fragile slopes.
We promote mass tourism but forget to build the carrying capacity for the places we market.
We’ve been sharing the same terrifying flood visuals year after year: collapsed bridges, washed-away homes, terrified families. But if sharing destruction alone brought change, we would’ve changed by now.
We need to start talking about solutions. Loud, consistent, and community-led.
So what does real resilience look like in the Himalayas?
• Stop building where the land says no. Restrict construction in high-risk, landslide-prone zones.
• Shift from mass tourism to mindful tourism. Create green rating systems for eco-sensitive zones.
• Involve mountain communities in decisions. Local wisdom knows these hills better than any blueprint.
• Bring back traditional wisdom. Use quake-resistant local materials, rainwater harvesting, and Naulas.
• Restore forests – plant native tree species like deodar, sal and sheesham that support soil strength and water retention.
• Monitor glacial lakes and flood risks. Invest in satellite early-warning systems, not just post-disaster relief.
• Train local disaster response teams. Decentralize response. Don't wait for helicopters.
• Create eco-jobs in the hills. From home stays to conservation jobs, let development grow with nature.
• Invest in Himalayan water security. Rejuvenate springs, conserve catchments, protect aquifers.
• Slow down. Build less. Build better. In the mountains, speed kills — literally.
"ये पहाड़ हमारी विरासत ही नहीं, हमारी ज़िम्मेदारी भी हैं।"
We can’t keep treating Devbhoomi like a project site and expect divine protection.
The Himalayas don’t need our pity.
They need our plans.
NDTV
