Lessons from Uttarakhand

Uttarakhand is a hilly region while Goa is a coastal state with hills aplenty. Before delving in similarities which draw our attention to possibilities of devastation in the Goan terrain, I must bow my head in silence to the thousands of Indians who lost their precious lives in the “Himalayan tsunami” last month, including those from the defense forces who died on duty performing rescue operations. I must also express my human solidarity with those who have suffered pain and tremendous loss of life and property. And I must share with my fellow citizens the apprehensions of future devastations if we do not learn to respect nature and live in harmony with our natural environment.

It was nature’s fury at its worst. But did the work of human beings aggravate the situation? Experts from ecological sciences and other fields have generally agreed that human interference with works of nature has taken its toll manifested in the scale of destruction. The warnings of environmentalists were not taken seriously, and even the recommendations of officially appointed commissions not implemented. The Ministry of Environment and Forests had notified in December, 2012 the watershed area near the Bhagirathi as an eco-sensitive zone under the Environment Protection Act, 1986. Construction activities were to be banned and land use conversion curtailed in this area. But the Government of Uttarakhand opposed this notification on the ground that it would affect development and progress, and even had a resolution passed in the Assembly to this effect. 

We find similar arguments in Goa when it comes to eco-sensitive zones. Our governments, past and present, do not propose resolutions in the Assembly but delay the process of implementation ad infinitum. The Regional Plan 2021 with eco-sensitive zones in place is in limbo, only announcements of revision followed by postponements on some pretext or the other by a 16-month old government that is supposed to be fast moving. Our governments in Goa do not oppose ecological concerns but strategically delay. Environmental protection delayed is protection denied, like the proverbial justice. Those who lose their lives or suffer in natural disasters triggered by human activities do not have a second chance to live on this otherwise beautiful earth. 

After the unprecedented devastation, we had this piece of news last Tuesday: “Rattled by the Himalayan Tsunami that ravaged Uttarakhand, the state government on Monday clamped a blanket ban on construction of houses and commercial establishments along river banks and announced a statutory body for development of flood-hit areas”(PTI). Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna  said the authority would consist of experts from different fields. I hope the expected recommendations will not be interpreted as anti-development but implemented with urgency.he  The Government of Goa should also take the implementation of the coastal zone regulations with serous urgency, not wait for disaster to strike. Candolim-Calangute-Baga stretch is now more of an urbanized commerce centre than a beach belt. The same is true about some of the beaches in South Goa. The lessons learnt should be applied to restrict or rather stop the destruction of natural endowments in the remaining beaches.

We know that tourism is a fragile industry and that we should not be too dependent on it. The people of Uttarakhand have now lost a very important means of livelihood not only during the current year but for next few years. Pilgrims who have not returned home alive as well as those who suffered miserably for days will convey the message which no advertising campaign can nullify. It is commented that the movement of tourists in Uttarakhand was beyond the carrying capacity of the region like in many other pilgrim centers. Goa and other tourist destinations have to plan according to their capacity, and not be guided by greed for the never ending more.

Deforestation is another common problem in Uttarakhand and Goa. We keep cutting trees to felicitate our version of development which calls for more structures of concrete and rapid urbanization of villages. Green cover prevents soil erosion and also lessens the vertical speed of rainfall, thus preventing landslides and floods which are becoming common in Goa. We don’t have to go far to remember the sudden floods in Canacona that shocked us in recent times; and the lesser floods in the week gone by.

Both Goa and Uttarakhand are relatively young states of the federation. The people of both states had aspired for and demanded statehood so that they could have a better say in moulding their future according to their ethos, a coastal state and a mountain state. The politicians benefited the most, not planning for the future but making the best out of immediate opportunities for themselves and those whose only concern was profit at any cost. The people of Uttarakhand have already suffered terribly. The people of Goa have to keep fighting their own elected governments on the streets in order to avert impending disasters.   

Published in The Navhind Times, Panorama 07.07.2013