In 2025, India experienced nearly 331 days of near-continuous climate impacts, with over 4,000 deaths attributed to climate-induced disasters. Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand bore the brunt, as towns such as Dharali, Harsil, Uttarkashi, Chamoli, Kullu, Mandi and Kishtwar were devastated by cloudbursts, landslides and avalanches that turned into deadly flash floods, destroying lives and livelihoods. Yet, even after the Dharali–Harsil region was recently ravaged by an avalanche-triggered flash flood, the government moved ahead with infrastructure expansion in this fragile zone.
On November 12, the Uttarakhand Forest Department approved the diversion of 43 hectares of forest land for the Char Dham road-widening project, including the felling of nearly 7,000 Devdar trees. The region lies north of the Main Central Thrust, a critical geological zone where major infrastructure is explicitly discouraged. Devdar forests play a crucial ecological role by stabilising slopes, preventing landslides, regulating river ecology and protecting the water quality of the Ganga. Ignoring these realities reflects a dangerous disregard for science, ecology and disaster resilience, accelerating the march towards a Himalayan ecocide.
Source link:
https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/a-dangerous-march-towards-a-himalayan-ecocide/article70539107.ece
