Man Made Causes of Kedarnath Disaster :

What happened in Uttarakhand in 2013 was extremely unfortunate but there was little that could have been done to avoid the disaster. What could have contained the scale of the disaster should have been done decades ago. But the general malaise of our society and the lack of interest by the authorities let the situation get to a scale where a disaster like Kedanath became inevitable.

Hydroelectric Project :

The foundation for Uttarakhand disaster had been laid long back when so many hydroelectric projects were being approved. The state presents a perfect example of the consequences of an improper study before starting the implementation of a project.

Himalayas are very young mountains and are still maturing, the numerous landslides that happen in the region, during monsoons, are an evidence to that. The mountains have yet not consolidated and there are loose debris. In such a condition, any project that is taken up, has to have a close study of the geology of the place at first. No doubt before taking up such projects, study of environment impact of project is done but kedarnath disaster raises a question on quality of such studies.

The immense hydrological pressure that the volume of water stored in dams exert on the underground rock matrix, needs to be analysed first. Himalayas being still young, may not be able to bear the pressure created by so many dams that have come up in the State of Uttarakhand.

Illegal Construction activities :

Building norms and practical sense was set aside to construct in areas that are calamity prone. Hotel businessmen built hotels on the river side and there is no body to check these illegal structure built by cutting the mountainous soil and making the soil to loose further which is easy to flow away during heavy rain.

Rivers have been ill famous for changing courses or swelling up during monsoons, knowing this, why didn't administration stopped such construction, is a question that needs to be answered by administration. There have been several instances when communities that have settled down in the old course of a river, have been washed away. There are many settlement which are even now located on the bed of a river or on old course of a river and whenever the river would change its course, it's might wash off these establishment. The science is simple, the rock structure that previously supported flow of river still exist so why wouldn't the water not diverted whenever things change upstream.

Roads construction :

Roads were built without any consideration to the ecology of the mountains. Development, though welcome, has to be sustainable and in sync with the ecology of the place. These were not considered at all. Rampant destruction of the forest cover and felling of trees in the name of development also are contributing factor. But the most important factor is the increasing population and the pressure that it exerts on land. Mountains are not immune to it either.

Lack of Preparedness :

Another aspect that needs to be considered in this incident is the lack of preparedness for mitigation of a disaster. There was already a warning in place, of Indian Meteorological Department about chances of heavy rain. People should have been refrained from visiting the shrine during those days. The locals should have been asked to rush to higher altitude or other safe spots.

Learning from this incident the government has indeed started Biometric Registration. Such registration mechanism should be in place at all major entry points to shrine like Uttarkashi, Bhatwari for Gangotri shrine.

              Himalayas are very young mountains and are still maturing, the numerous landslides that happen in the region, during monsoons, are an evidence to that. The mountains have yet not consolidated and there are loose debris. In such a condition, any project that is taken up, has to have a close study of the geology of the place at first. No doubt before taking up such projects, study of environment impact of project is done but kedarnath disaster raises a question on quality of such studies.

      It is not that we do not have environmental laws or building guidelines or checks and measures to prevent misuse, but the will for implementation is weak and very easily wavered. if only the implementation of the existing laws is done in the manner that it should be, can avoid disasters like Kedarnath.