Environmental Issues in Uttarakhand :

While18 years after statehood, the leadership of the State has succumbed to the conventional model of development with its familiar and single-minded goal of creating monetary wealth. With utter disregard for the State’s mountain character and its delicate ecosystems, successive governments have blindly pushed roads, dams, tunnels, bridges and unsafe buildings even in the most fragile regions. In the process, denuded mountains have remained deforested, roads designed to minimise expenditure rather than enhance safety have endangered human lives, tunnels blasted into mountainsides have further weakened the fragile slopes and dried up springs, ill-conceived hydropower projects have destroyed rivers and their ecosystems, and hotels and land developers have encroached on river banks. Very few have benefitted from these projects mainly in the towns and cities of the southern terai plains and valleys where production investments have concentrated. In the mountain villages, agricultural production has shrivelled, women still trudge the mountain slopes in search of fodder, fuel wood and water, and entire families wait longingly for an opportunity to escape to the plains.

Tourism brings money and development to the region, it can also do unintentional damage to fragile ecosystems. Here are some of the key issues that face the conservation of natural resources in the state:

Forest Fires :

 Every summer, hundreds of hectares of forests are affected by such forest fires. Wild fires lead to loss of human lives and wildlife species and also cause damage to the ecosystem. Almost every forest fire is caused by human beings. Some areas are set afire by local communities to reduce grass on the forest floor. Many fires are caused by travellers throwing cigarette butts on roads passing through forests.

Non-biodegradable waste:

Today, even remote hill villages have a ‘Noodle Point’ selling packaged food, soft drinks and water in plastic bottles. A lot of this waste is carelessly strewn across natural trails and campsites. If burnt, they release harmful chemicals into the atmosphere. Counter this with the mantra of ‘reduce, reuse & recycle’. If visitors carried back empty bottles and packaging waste, it would go a long way towards keeping our wilderness pristine.
 
Water conservation:

 Given that some of India’s most important rivers originate here, it is ironic that water conservation remains a burning issue in Uttarakhand. A large number of natural springs that dotted the hillside have been damaged due to the cutting of slopes for road building or other unplanned activities. These have adversely affected the underground water table at many places.

Forest Protection:

 While Uttarakhand has largely maintained its forest cover and even shown a modest increase in that cover, the protection of forests remains a constant challenge. Encroachments, illegal tree felling and unregulated collection of forest products are also responsible for damage to forests. Many wildlife corridors have been choked due to unplanned development and this also contributes to increased human-wildlife conflict.

Every summer, hundreds of hectares of forests are affected by forest fires. Wild fires lead to loss of human lives and wildlife species and also cause damage to the ecosystem. Almost every forest fire is caused by human beings. Some areas are set afire by local communities to reduce grass on the forest floor. Many fires are caused by travellers throwing cigarette butts on roads passing through forests. The protection of forests remains a constant challenge. Encroachments, illegal tree felling and unregulated collection of forest products are also responsible for damage to forests. Many wildlife corridors have been choked due to unplanned development and this also contributes to increased human-wildlife conflict. The Ministry of Environment and Forests data reveals that over 30,500 hectares of forests have been diverted to non-forest use in Uttarakhand since the formation of the state in 2000. Over 60% of the diversions have been for road construction and power projects, primarily in Uttarkashi, Rudraprayag, Chamoli and Pithoragarh districts.
 
Illegal wildlife trade:

 Illegal products made of fur, bones, glands, tusks, feathers etc of endangered species, are offered to unsuspecting buyers as souvenirs and local produce. Our awareness could really make a difference and help protect the wildlife resources of the region. Illegal products made of fur, bones, glands, tusks, feathers etc of endangered species, are offered to unsuspecting buyers as souvenirs and local produce. Can we do something to create awareness and/or provide some way to distinguish the fakes from the original to help protect the wildlife resources of the region.

Solutions:

Forest cover has to be expanded, river flows and ecologies have to be sustained and wildlife has to be protected in a manner that enables livelihoods to grow. For protecting existing forests, village women should receive free cooking gas cylinders at their homes in payment for providing ecological services to the rest of India. Such payments can generate revenues for Himalayan states that pursue green development policies.