The Dharali tragedy and the future of Uttarakhand

Vidya Bhushan Rawat

The devastation brought by the massive #FlashFlood2025 at the Khirganga gad in #Dharali is heartbreaking. It was a beautiful village just on the high way and with easy access to tranquil #Bhagirathi. The village actually falls in #Harsil valley and one of the most beautiful regions surrounded by the snow clad peaks and stunning view of Bhagirathi. Many other small streams flows into Bhagirathi in and around these places.

There is a small market where people would stop over and have their meal before moving to #gangotridham or while returning from there. Though Harsil was a more famous village, the fact is Dharali's location and surrounding made it look better. The distance between the two is about 6- kilometers. There is an ancient temple #kalpkedar slightly towards the river side. The simple looking #khirganga which is actually a gad or gadera, a natural stream from the high mountain passing through its natural flow and emptying at the Bhagirathi. In fact, history shows, that the biggest devastation in the hills have always been brought by these Gads and Gaderas and the reason for this is that most of the time they look miner stream so much of their natural space is occupied by the new concrete jungle being erected so fast in the #himalayas.

Look at this video of Khir-Gad at Dharali on a normal day. I took this video a couple of years back when I was going to Gangotri. I had an opportunity to stay at Harsil and had my lunch at Dharali.

The pressure of #ChardhamYatra is enormous on the state where extending infrastructure is difficult and 'bhakts' always blame that they dont get cheap and comfortable stay. The Indian tourists want the facilities of their home everywhere. Even if they go to #kedarnath or #Gangotri they seek the same facilities. Now they threaten too claiming that it is because of them the economy of #uttarakhand function.

The #cloudburst theory is not widely being accepted by the scientists who suggest that the rains were not heavy in the region including Harsil, #Mukhba and #gangotridham. Times of India reported that it might be the case of #glaciallakeoutburst which create the most dangerous situation for the nearby locations. So far there are about 1266 glacial lakes in Uttarakhand state and 13 are considered to be high risk, the newspaper reported.

Several years back, we saw the massive devastation caused by the Glacial Lake burst at #nandadevimassif resulting in the tragedy at the #RishiGanga #Dhauliganga confluence near village #Reni, the historic epicentre of #Chipkomovement.

Right now, reports are also coming in of possible formation of a artificial lake on Bhagirathi near Harsil army base which too faced devastation due to flash flood. Army is already there active in the rescue operation despite its own problems in the area.

As reports coming in that Dharali is completely cut off from the rest of the country. The rescue teams which were dispatched have been stuck in between as more and more reports of landslide and caving in of the National High way at different places are coming in. In 2024, the government gave permission for broadening of the Gangotri High way from Harsil to Gangotri against all the environmental norms. The local protested against the same as thousands of Deodar trees were earmarked for cutting and felling to make way for the National High way. The report of local's resistance to broadening of this road has been carried out in The Hindustan Times on August 29,2024. It says, ' “We have come across the forest clearance applications that the BRO has made. Firstly, the entire road widening project in the eco-sensitive zone is in violation of the Ravi Chopra committee’s findings and warnings. Secondly, BRO has claimed these stretches are not in eco-sensitive zone. How is that possible? We also want our road to be in good condition but we do not want further loss of precious forests. This area is extremely prone to landslides. Locals are already suffering. We have met the district magistrate also regarding our concerns,” said Pushpa Chauhan, former gram pradhan, Bhatwari and entrepreneur.

Sadly, all this is happening in the reason which was declared by the Central government as Eco Sensitive Zone in 2010. The 135 kilometer stretch from Uttarkashi to Gaumukh is extremely fragile Eco sensitive zone and equally important for the Hindus who revere Maa Ganga and travel to its source at Gaumukh. The final notification of it came in 2012 and was termed as 'anti developmental' by many politicians. Now, the government has started 'developmental' work again and we face the fury of nature.

Just a few days, Supreme Court actually feared that #himachalpradesh would vanish from the map if the government does not act and the warning was equally important for the state of Uttarakhand state too. Both the states have faced severe disaster in the last few years. With rapid urbanisation and inflow of tourists from outside, the pressure to develop new infrastructure has resulted in homes being converted into 'Stayhomes' and with the mushrooming of hotels and resorts everywhere, we see an encouragement in the name of 'employment' generation. With no employment in the sight, the only opportunity to earn a few bucks is during the CharDham Yatra but that too has not helped the locals who do the maximum menial work while the big bosses of these resort and hotels are in Delhi and Chandigarh.

Many years ago, Supreme Court had asked government not allow any houses or resort with in 100 meters of the river bed. A PIB release in 2021 actually provided details of the NGT order in this regard. It says, 'Further vide its order dated 15.12.2017, Hon’ble NGT has directed that no construction would be permitted in the Flood Plain in consonance with the judgement of the Tribunal in the case of Indian Council for Enviro-Legal Action Vs. National Ganga River Basin Authority & Ors. Hon’ble NGT reiterated that in the area falling within 50 mtrs from edge of the river in the hilly terrain, no construction would be permitted, nor any other activity carried out and it shall be treated as Prohibitory Zone. Beyond 50 mtrs and up to 100 mtrs in the hilly terrain it shall be treated as Regulatory Zone. Regulatory activity shall be notified by the State and till that time there shall be no construction activity permitted in that area. Once the river enters the plain or even hilly areas where width of the river is more than 70 mtrs, in that event area of 100 mtrs from the edge of the river shall be treated as Prohibitory Zone while 100 mtrs to 300 mtrs would be treated as Regulatory Zone and till the time the State notifies the restricted activities, there shall be no construction activity even in the Regulatory Zone.'

Things are not same in Uttarakhand where massive concretisation process continue unabated. Hydropower projects, drilling of mountains, unregulated mass tourism in the name of Chardham Yatra added with Kanwar Yatra are only adding enormous pressure on mountains. In the name of yatra, we have promoted the cheap mass tourism which is least bothered about the sentiments of the hill people as well as respecting the sensitivities of the mountains. The result is most of these sacred spaces have now become a 'religious picnic spot' with political leaders want more and more people to pour in. Kedarnath, which cant host over 1000 people actually host 20 to 30 time more pilgrims on a daily basis resulting in the collapse of the infrastructure.

We do understand the need for development but cant we need to protect them too. Himalayas are our border, our safety and security. They are feed us through various rivers including Ganga which liberate us even after our deaths. It is important that government think over these seriously. Protect Himalayas will only happen with our respect for nature. No need to think that human being can achieve anything or can win over everything. The whole idea of winning over nature will only bring disaster as we are witnessing.

Ganga and our sacred rivers as well as our mountains are not asking us anything. They only need our respect. Why cant we do that. We cant this be treated our heritage and declared heritage zone. Regulate the Yatra. Stop mindless construction. No construction on river bed. Has there been any implementation of the NGT order ? Just travel to a few places even in the low land areas of Gangas in Uttarakhand and you will find resort and hotels on the river bed. Who gave them permission. Everytime, we say a wake up call but nothing happen.

We hope the Dharali disaster will wake us our political class who decide our future. Let the government follow its own guidelines Gangotri Zone as Eco Sensitive Zone. Stop mindless broadening of the highway as well as constructions of hotels, resorts and hydropower projects.

Right now, we wish protection and safety for all those who are suffering in this enormous tragedy. It has been extremely painful to hear all this yesterday. I happened to pass through these places, spent some time in the beautiful locales. Our condolences with those who lost their near dear ones and big salute to all those workers from the armed forces, NDRF and SDRF who have been working day and night to protect innocent lives. The people of Uttarakhand deserve better. Hope government respect the eco sensitivity of the region and plan its policies accordingly.

We need to develop a harmonious relationship with nature to live peacefully with it. The massive devastation has exposed our developmental model. It is a wake up call. Respect our rivers, mountains and nature by protecting their sanctity and stop your futile attempt to score a victory over nature. Time to accept that no human power can control nature and the more you try to damage nature the biggest will the repercussions for the humanity.