The Price of Ignoring Nature

Devastation

“We collectively need to break the mentality of ‘Jugaad,’ enforce the Rule of Law for a Safer India, or the continuing man-made recipe for disaster will further bring ecological upheaval and swallow us.”

The past week has been devastating, highlighting the dire consequences of ignoring man-made disasters and ecological imbalances. The continuous warnings about harming nature are coming true, reminding us that the more we hurt Mother Nature, the more we will repent in one form or another.

Tragedy Among Aspirants in Delhi

Take the tragic deaths of three young civil service aspirants in Delhi. They travelled from their home states to the capital, living in compromising conditions to achieve their dreams of a better life. Little did they know that due to the negligence of others, they would suffer a fatal fate. This incident is a stark reminder of how poor building construction and non-compliance with safety regulations can lead to unnecessary loss of life. Hundreds of aspirants who chose institutes like Rao Institute now face an uncertain future, all because basic guidelines were ignored and we, as citizens ignored to report or highlight the wrongdoing happening in our neighbourhood or the place where we work, study, or visit but just ignore despite knowing all is not well.

Wayanad Landslide Catastrophe

In a similar vein, the recent landslide in Wayanad, Kerala, has been catastrophic. Three villages have been nearly wiped out, with around 300 people feared dead and scores still missing. Hundreds of trapped residents have been evacuated, yet the toll continues to rise. Despite previous warnings issued, no preventive action was taken by the administration. Landslides in Kerala and other coastal areas are not new but have been occurring for years, largely due to the continuous abuse of the Western Ghats and coastal regions. Ecologists and environmentalists have repeatedly warned that these regions’ overexploitation would lead to massive human suffering.

Ecological Disasters Across India

This pattern of ecological disregard is not limited to Kerala. In Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, the Jammu-Srinagar highway, and various parts of Kashmir, massive infrastructure projects have been developed at the cost of ecological stability.

Historically, construction in these areas was restricted to prevent such disasters. Yet today, the commercial hubs and streets of these States showcase rampant encroachments, including drainage lanes, fire gaps, turning green areas into concrete jungles etc. contributing to frequent floods and landslides.

This phenomenon extends beyond Himalayan north India to other parts of the country. From the hills of Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal and Uttarakhand to the coastal regions of South India, violations of ecological laws are rampant. Violators, often with the complicity of local authorities, have pushed these violations from inches to miles, overwhelming the capacity of nature to bear the burden.

Some Recent Examples of Ecological Disasters

Chamoli Disaster, Uttarakhand (2021): A glacier burst in Chamoli district led to massive floods, resulting in over 200 deaths and extensive damage to infrastructure. The disaster was attributed to unregulated construction activities and deforestation in the fragile Himalayan region.

Assam Floods (2022): The annual floods in Assam have been worsening due to deforestation, soil erosion, and encroachments on riverbanks. In 2022, the floods displaced millions and caused significant loss of life and property.

Mumbai Floods (2019): Mumbai faces severe flooding every monsoon due to illegal constructions and poor urban planning. The 2019 floods resulted in over 30 deaths and massive economic losses.

Coastal Erosion in Odisha (2020): Unchecked sand mining and construction along the coastline have led to severe coastal erosion in Odisha, displacing thousands of residents and threatening livelihoods.

The Urgency of Action

The urgency to address these man-made disasters cannot be overstated. These above cited are few known examples and we do not know what exactly has been the extent of damage to nature across the country. The pattern of environmental disregard is evident, and the consequences are dire. The violations and the ecological destruction they cause lead to more frequent and severe natural disasters. As nature strives to maintain its balance, human lives and livelihoods are increasingly at risk. The time to act is now. We must respect and preserve our natural environment, enforce strict regulations on construction and development, and hold violators accountable. Only by taking these steps can we hope to mitigate the looming ecological crises and ensure a safer future for all or one after another, we all perish.

Breaking the Mentality of “Jugaad”: Enforcing the Rule of Law for a Safer India

The devastating events of recent weeks have highlighted a deeper, systemic issue in India: the pervasive mentality that “jugaad”—a colloquial term for a makeshift solution—can override laws and regulations. With the greed to earn more, many of the commercial areas are being exploited and compromised, not thinking of safety steps. This mindset, coupled with corruption and lax enforcement, has led to catastrophic consequences. It is time to break this cycle and implement the rule of law rigorously to ensure the safety and well-being of all citizens.

In Delhi, for example, every third person claims to be close to the government and ready to help you through jugaad to get your work done even at the cost of a law violation. Many people believe they can violate laws by using their influence or bribing officials. This attitude has resulted in widespread disregard for regulations, especially in building construction. For example, numerous domestic and commercial buildings, including those managed by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA), have violated norms with impunity. This disregard for the law extends to various sectors, contributing to ecological disasters, unsafe living conditions, and infrastructure failures.

Some Examples of Law Violations

Illegal Building Constructions: In Delhi, many residents have added floors to their buildings under the condition that the ground floor would be used as a parking lot. However, a quick tour of West Delhi reveals that this is rarely the case. The additional floors are constructed without providing the promised parking spaces, exacerbating traffic congestion, and reducing public safety. In many cases, the government streets, and footpaths have been encroached, extending their residence/shop boundary walls and shrinking the passages.

Unsafe Banquet Halls: Numerous banquet halls in West Delhi host large gatherings in basements with inadequate ventilation and limited exits. In the event of a fire or flooding, these venues could become death traps, with dozens of casualties likely. Despite regulations, these establishments continue to operate without proper safety measures.

Non-Compliant New Buildings: Many new buildings, despite existing laws, are not designed to be accessible to people with disabilities. Architects, engineers, and contractors often avoid implementing inclusive designs, ignoring the needs of all citizens and violating basic human rights. Why because they can have an additional commercial shop or bigger lobby but the entrance/exit is compromised.

The Need for Collective Consciousness and Strict Enforcement

Addressing these issues requires a collective effort from both society and the government. With climate change intensifying the frequency and severity of natural disasters, it is crucial to revisit and enforce building regulations and environmental laws rigorously.

Political interests must be sidelined to prioritize public safety. Strict laws need to be implemented without exceptions, and violators, including corrupt officials, must be punished severely. This will deter future violations and establish a culture of accountability.

A comprehensive audit of existing buildings and infrastructure is essential to identify and rectify violations. Surprise inspection squads should be established to conduct regular checks, ensuring compliance with safety and environmental standards. There should be no compromise in enforcing these regulations.

Educating the public about the importance of adhering to laws and the consequences of violations is crucial. Campaigns to raise awareness about the dangers of “jugaad” solutions and the benefits of following regulations can help shift societal attitudes.

Architects, engineers, and contractors must prioritize designing buildings that are accessible to people from all walks of life. This includes ensuring that new constructions are disability-friendly and safe for everyone. Strict penalties for non-compliance should be enforced to ensure that inclusivity becomes the norm.

Advertising and educating masses on how they can complain in a single window system with well-advertised specific telephone numbers, email or even some people-friendly app that can register complaints. Massive awareness to the public of what is legal and what is illegal also needs to be established so that residents and common people act as eyes and ears for the government rather than ignoring it.

Establishing robust mechanisms to protect and encourage whistleblowers can help uncover corruption and violations. Ensuring anonymity and safety for those who report illegal activities will enhance the effectiveness of law enforcement.

Conclusion

The tragic events of the past week are a stark reminder of the consequences of ignoring laws and regulations. To prevent further disasters, we must break the mentality of “jugaad” and enforce the rule of law with unwavering commitment. It requires a collective consciousness and a concerted effort from society and the government to create a safer, more sustainable future. By prioritizing strict enforcement, inclusive design, and public awareness, we can mitigate the risks of man-made disasters and protect the lives and livelihoods of all citizens. As we show respect to nature, it reciprocates in kind. By giving nature the space it needs to thrive, we, in turn, receive clean air to breathe and safer environments to live in. Respecting and nurturing our natural surroundings ensures that we benefit from a healthier, more sustainable world.

 Surinder Singh Oberoi, National Editor Greater Kashmir