Joshimath-like tragedy has a far-reaching impact on the environment, economies and mankind in different ways. Anjal Prakash, Research Director at the Bharti Institute of Public Policy at the Indian School of Business (Hyderabad) believes that despite knowing the mounting crisis in the region, the administration had apparently turned blind eye to what was in the making for decades. in an interview to Parvez Sultan, the environmentalist spells out reasons contributing to the land subsidence and impact of the phenomenon.
When did the actual degradation in the Joshimath region begin? Reasons?
The actual degradation in the Joshimath region is likely to have started in the recent past, and the exact date is still being determined. The local reports of parts of Joshimath sinking started coming in 2018-19. The reasons for degradation in the region are likely to be multifaceted. According to locals, the hydropower development and its tunnelling process are one of the reasons for the sinking of the town. Apart from this, other factors also contribute to the present-day situation in Joshimath. They are:
Deforestation: Unsustainable logging practices and clearing forests for agriculture and other purposes have led to a loss of forest cover, contributing to soil erosion, loss of biodiversity and other environmental problems.
Climate change: Issues such as increased temperature changes in precipitation terns, has led to changes in the and patdistribution of plant and animal species and disrupted ecosystems. It has acted as a force multiplier.
This story is from the February 07, 2023 edition of The New Indian Express.
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This story is from the February 07, 2023 edition of The New Indian Express.
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