Climate Change, Unplanned Development Raising Disaster Risk in Himachal: Dr D. Raghunandan
Shimla, August 19: Climate change is intensifying extreme weather events across the world and India, but in fragile Himalayan states like Himachal Pradesh, the growing threat is being compounded by unplanned and scientifically unsound development, noted climate change expert and scientist Dr D. Raghunandan on Wednesday.
Addressing a press conference organised by the Himachal Gyan Vigyan Samiti at Hotel Victory, Shimla, Dr Raghunandan said rising global temperatures over the past few decades had increased the intensity and risk of extreme rainfall, erratic monsoons, heatwaves and other weather events. The Himalayas, because of their unique geographical and geological conditions, are particularly vulnerable to these changes.
He warned that the impact of climate change cannot be addressed simply by waiting for global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to deliver results. “Emission reduction is essential, but its impact will take time. Governments must simultaneously build climate-resilient systems capable of withstanding extreme rainfall, floods, landslides, droughts and rising temperatures,” he said.
Dr Raghunandan said Himachal's disaster vulnerability was not solely a consequence of climate change.
The expansion of four-lane highways, large construction projects and other infrastructure without adequately accounting for geological formations, slope stability, drainage and local ecology was altering the Himalayan landscape and increasing risks of landslides and other disasters.
He stressed that development could not be stopped, but its direction and scale had to be determined by the ecological limits of the mountains.
“Before allowing large-scale construction in cities, tourist destinations or other vulnerable hill areas, their carrying capacity must be scientifically assessed,” he said, calling for the assessment to guide construction activity, land-use planning, tourism pressure and infrastructure expansion.
Dr Raghunandan said climate-resilient planning had to become an integral part of development policy rather than an afterthought following disasters. Villages, towns and infrastructure must be designed to minimise loss of life and property during extreme weather events.
Dr O.P. Bhureta, general secretary of the Bharat Gyan Vigyan Samiti and an environmentalist, said development pressure in several Himalayan states had reached a point where environmental damage was becoming increasingly difficult to reverse. Himachal's tourism sector, he said, also needed to be planned and regulated according to local resources and carrying capacity.
He called for local communities, scientists, environmental organisations and development experts to be given an effective role in planning and implementing development and environmental policies.
Disaster management, he added, should go beyond relief and rehabilitation, with reconstruction policies designed to make communities safer against future disasters.
Himachal Gyan Vigyan Samiti state secretary Satyawan Pundir said the organisation would strengthen its work on environmental awareness, climate change, disaster preparedness and public participation.
He announced the launch of a year-long “Future of India” campaign in Himachal Pradesh, under which studies and consultations would be conducted at the village level on environment, health, self-reliance, agriculture and livelihoods. People's experiences, concerns and suggestions would subsequently be taken to block, district and state-level dialogues and public hearings.
The organisation aims to reach more than 1,000 gram panchayats across over 40 development blocks in Himachal Pradesh under the campaign.
