HIMALAYAN ECOCIDE

NEWS: Reckless infrastructure development in the fragile Himalayas, especially the Char Dham road project, is accelerating ecological collapse and disasters, and must be replaced by disaster-resilient, science-based development

Himalayas are at risk

• In 2025, climate disasters occurred almost all year (~331 days).
• Over 4,000 deaths due to climate induced disasters, mainly in Himachal Pradesh & Uttarakhand.
• Towns like Dharali, Harsil, Chamoli, Uttarkashi, Kullu suffered from cloudbursts

Char Dham Road Project

Involved:

• Felling of ~7,000 Deodar (Devdar) trees
• Diversion of 43 hectares of forest land
• Use of DL-PS standard (12- metre wide road)

Deodar (Devdar) forests are irreplaceable

• Slope stabilisation: Deep roots bind soil → prevent landslides
• Avalanche & debris control: Act as natural barriers
• Keep air & water temperatures low

Hence, Supreme Court discouraged their felling.

Policy contradiction by the government

The project contradicts National Mission for Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem, which aims to:

• Protect Himalayan ecology
• Monitor glaciers & biodiversity
• Reduce disaster risk
• Promote sustainable livelihoods

Philosophical & civilisational argument

• “Without the Himalayas, there is no India”
• Himalayas: Control monsoon, feed rivers, sustain agriculture, shape Indian culture & spirituality
• Destroying them is not development, but selfsabotage.