Joshimath, a Himalayan town in Uttarakhand is falling apart as huge cracks are appearing on the walls of the houses and on roads. People are protesting against any new construction that is taking place in the town.
The question that now arises is what is leading to the town falling apart? Let’s have a look.
Know A Little About The Town
Joshimath is a well-known hill station in the state of Uttarakhand, and it is also a pilgrimage destination. The exact location of the town is on the side of a hill in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district.
It is believed that Joshimath is the exact place where religious reformer Adi Shankaracharya acquired enlightenment in the eighth century. Home to many families, the town has huge cracks in the walls and rocks, and it has led to people vacating homes, hotels being shut, and the largest ropeway in Asia being closed for an indefinite period.
Why Is The Town Falling Apart?
The location where Joshimath stands is prone to landslides. Local geologists and scientists have been warning about the site for decades. The first such report came in 1976 and it was outlined that the location is dangerous and it might endanger life and property.
However, these warnings were not paid heed and rapid urbanization was going on in the location. This stressed the fragile hill land and cracks started appearing almost everywhere. According to the researchers, urbanization needs to be blamed as it leads to natural water drainage, undercut slopes, and uncontrolled discharge of water.
Also, a survey was conducted by the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology in 2022 and it revealed that the soil and land underneath the town do not have the capability of being held together for a long time, especially when constructions take place.
Citing the 2006 survey report by the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, scientist Dr. Swapnamita Vaideswaran said, “Seepage from streams uphill has been observed, which may have loosened the soil of Joshimath.
The nalas disappear underground and arise overground downhill, bringing totally muddy water, and then join the Dhauliganga or the Alaknanda (beyond Vishnuprayag). The drainage system of the town of Joshimath is not well maintained. Waste water from the days’ usage flows through improper drains.”
Also Read: Find Out About Joshimath Town In Uttarakhand That Is Sinking Day By Day
The residents have time and again complained about the NTPC projects going on in their town, however, the government has turned a blind eye to them. NTPC officials have refused the claims made by the residents saying that the sinking of the town is not happening because of their projects.
Current Situation
The government has dispatched an expert team led by Dr. Ranjit Sinha, Secretary of Disaster Management to review the situation of the site and deliver its report. All constructions and hydroelectric projects have come to a standstill so that further damage is not caused.
The residents have been vacated and taken to a new area. The drainage system of the town needs to be investigated as garbage and dirty water seeps into the soil leading to its loosening. Also, experts have suggested replanting at the sensitive points of the site as that can hold the soil together.
In order to save Joshimath, combined efforts from the government and civil organizations are needed.
Image Credits: Google Images
Feature image designed by Saudamini Seth
Sources: Wion, Times Now, Business Today
Find the blogger: Palak Dogra
This post is tagged under: Uttarakhand, Joshimath, sinking town, Joshimath, Pushkar Dhami, Char Dham, Seismic Zone, Himalayan Landslide
Disclaimer: We do not hold any right, copyright over any of the images used, these have been taken from Google. In case of credits or removal, the owner may kindly mail us.
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Examples of the complete corruption,incompetence and mismanagement in the state of Uttarakhand,are listed below:
• This state has no LokAyukta,for more than 7 years
• The Directorate of Audit Uttarakhand,Audit reports for the last 7 years,were tabled in the Assembly, only in 2023
• There is no PAC review of the CAG Audit reports after 2018
• Not a SINGLE PAC report is online,even on the Uttarakhand Assembly portal
• UKSSC and UKPSC routinely leak exam papers,at a set frequency, akin to the lunar cycles (to ensure equity and justice,id.est., that every one has chance to pass)
• Rampant corruption in every SOE in Uttarakhand,even in the area of recruitments (using the ubiquitous “manpower consultants”)
• Astounding corruption in the recruitments of the Uttarakhand Assembly (which ceases to shock)
• An Ex-DGP of Uttarakhand Police, is subject to an SIT enquiry and a chargesheet
• A serving IPS officer ,Amit Srivastava,upgraded from SPS, in the State Police, has an FIR against him for murder of a man called Mohan Singh,and is being enquired into,by the CVC, in a Rs 200 banking and Exim fraud.The Supreme Court has issued notices on the constitution of a SIT,on the matter,and expressed shock and dismay,on the matter.
• The Chief Minister of the State,revoked a law,bringing temples in the state,under the control of the state,in pursuance of a Uttarakahnd High Court Order (as the temple priests went on a strike,for “haq” and “huqooq” ?)
• This state has the dubious distinction of passing a circular,restricting transfers u/s 6(3) of the RTI Act, to 1 PIO .to completely paralyse the RTI Act in the state,with the USIC,not even making a whimper of a protest
• Every SOE,in the state,is suffering losses,except where “Nature”,operates the SOE,such as UFDC (for timber) and UJVNL (for hydro power).The state thrives on excise on sales of sheera and hemp,which accrue Rs 3000 crores per annum
• Many SOE in the state have prepared no annual accounts, and done no audits,for 10-25 years
• SOEs are being run into the ground, to palm them off to political crony capitalists, under the PPP scheme,for obvious reasons,besides downsizing staff strength
• The State has a Freedom of Religion Act ,wherein a sentient needs a certificate,from the District Magistrate,before conversion
• The State has a Salary and Pension Bill of Rs 24000 crores, on a population of 1 crore,when UP has a Bill of Rs 188,000 crores on a population of 25 crore,People who were in the UP government (pre-partition of the state),employed as errand boys,peons,sweepers etc.,are now making and executing policies, in the Uttarakhand Government
• UPCLhas annual losses of Rs 2000 crores, and the state has no viable manufacturing industry, to absorb the cross subsidy of power tariffs (besides power theft and distribution losses)