When Nature Strikes Back!

ECO-WATCH

Horrific images of forests vanishing under landslides at Wayanad district in Kerala send shivers down the spine. More than 360 people are reported to have perished in the deadly landslide on July 30 with efforts  still on to rescue survivors.
Experts blamed climate change coupled with unplanned development for the Wayanad disaster. It is said that the disaster was imminent due to unscientific land use patterns at Wayanad and its adjoining areas.
During British rule, it is said that water ways in forests were filled up, courses changed and leveled to facilitate tea plantations. Gradually accommodation for workers was created on river terraces changing the natural course of water.
During the Wayanad landslides, it is said that water passed for its original course—through houses and fields. On this, an expert has even remarked that, “Water has memory, it remembers the paths it used to once flow along.” We have also seen the destruction due to flash floods triggered by cloudbursts in neighboring Himachal Pradesh. Studies indicate that increasing human activities in eco-sensitive zones in Himachal have exacerbated landslide susceptibility in the mountainous state.
Back to Jammu and Kashmir, the mountainous region is vulnerable to natural disasters especially earthquake, floods, landslides and soil erosion. In the wee hours today, a cloud burst at Cherwan area of Kangan in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district caused extensive damage to houses, agricultural fields, orchards and several vehicles. The devastation in Cherwan brought back memories of Wayanad.
The message is clear! Don’t fiddle with or disturb the eco-system!  Most of the natural disasters in J&K have been mostly triggered by undue human interference and haphazard constructions in eco-fragile areas. Most parts of J&K fall under the high seismic Zones IV and V making J&K vulnerable to earthquakes. However, in absence of regulation, there is not let up in haphazard constructions. This can be detrimental during earthquakes.
On September 7, 2014, Kashmir witnessed massive floods. Jhelum had crossed a record 23-feet at Ram Munshi Bagh gauge here submerging localities on both sides of the river including city’s commercial hub Lal Chowk and its adjoining areas. Ironically despite the passing of a decade, no lessons have been learnt from the devastating floods. Massive constructions have taken place in Jhelum’s flood plains including wetlands.
Wetlands on the left and right of Jhelum acted as reservoirs of the floodwaters. Hokersar, Bemina wetland, Narakara wetland, Batamaloo numbal, Rakh-e-arth, Anchar lake and Gilsar, which are part of Jhelum’s flood plains, have been degraded due to rapid encroachment and urbanisation. In fact we have lost 20 wetlands to urban colonies during the last five decades, particularly in the south of Srinagar.
Jhelum has lost its carrying capacity. Considered to be the lifeline of Kashmir, the river is the main source of irrigation and also saves the valley from floods. Jhelum meanders in a serpentine way from south to north Kashmir and settles in Wullar, Asia’s largest freshwater lake, before draining into the other side of the Line through Baramulla. Wullar lake too has been marred by extensive siltation, encroachments and pollution thus reducing its water holding capacity. This makes Kashmir vulnerable to floods.
Doda district has emerged as one of the most eco-fragile areas in J&K due to its unique geoclimatic conditions. It is susceptible to landslides and land subsidence. Hilly areas with human habitations frequently develop cracks and landslides. Experts blame increased haphazard construction activities for frequent landslides and soil erosion in the district.
Chenab Valley, having huge dams on river Chenab including Dul Hasti in Kishtwar, Baglihar in Ramban, is prone to natural disasters. The Srinagar-Jammu National Highway frequently gets closed due to landslides, especially in Ramban district. Experts blame use of heavy machinery and construction works in eco-fragile areas for frequent landslides. They recommend controlled blasting and slope stabilisation measures to minimise landslides.

Amid construction of new roadways and railway networks in J&K, it is imperative to take care of the environment. We need development but not at the cost of the environment! There must be a proper Environment Impact Assessment of every project. We have seen how rules are being openly flouted to ensure early completion of so-called development projects.

We have seen how illegal mining is devouring our streams and changing its course. This is causing irreparable damage to our riverbed system. All rivers and streams have a stable hydraulic regime, which governs course and parameters such as bed slope, width, depth of flow. However, in absence of monitoring, organised mafia use heavy machines to extract stone and minerals from streams, extensively disturbing flora and fauna.

We are witness to how Karewas in Kashmir are being vandalised. These Karewas are part of the valley’s eco-system. However, for extraction of soil, these Karewas, which are repositories of geological and archeological treasures, are being flattened.

Unchecked mining of Karewas has been propelled due to demand for soil for construction of rail lines and highways in Kashmir. This has led to massive soil erosion and siltation of waterways in Kashmir. Our glaciers are retreating fast due to climate change and increasing construction activities in fragile zones. It is high time to introspect and wake up to save ourselves from ecological disasters. We have to understand that J&K forms one of the most fragile ecosystems in the Himalayas. Natural disasters are imminent but there is no specific timeframe. We can at least take measures to minimise the damage by not further damaging our environment. Climate change knows no boundaries. We must remember that nature takes revenge for its destruction!
Author is Executive Editor, Greater Kashmir