"Banta, look over there," Santa says, pointing with a sad finger. "That's old Rampur village slope.” “It used to be so beautiful, a green staircase to the heavens.” “Now... it looks like the mountain is weeping mud.” “That new landslide ......... it has started right from the old fields!” “How is that possible?” “I thought terraces were supposed to be safe!" Banta looks at the scene, his … [Read More...] about The Weeping Terraces of the Ghost Village
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Kedarnath’s Precarious Future: Reconciling Faith, Development, and Environmental Reality
Kedarnath, a revered Hindu shrine nestled deep within the awe-inspiring Garhwal Himalayas of Uttarakhand, embodies a profound spiritual magnetism, drawing millions of fervent devotees annually to its sacred precincts. Yet, this spiritual magnetism is inextricably woven into the fabric of a highly fragile, dynamic, and geologically active environment. This delicate ecosystem has repeatedly, … [Read More...] about Kedarnath’s Precarious Future: Reconciling Faith, Development, and Environmental Reality
Himalayan Habitats: Built on Landslides, Threatened by Negligence
Not landslides, but our ignorance and greed are responsible for increasing losses due to this phenomenon that facilitated growth of habitations in the Himalayan region.
Kagaz ki Naav Campaign and the Real Flood
Holding elections during the peak of the monsoon amounts to not only infringement of the rights of both the contestants and the voters, but also exposing them to higher risk.
The Missing Chowkidar and the Insurance of Sorrow
Insurance can’t be an alibi for exposing the officials as also general public to known risks during the monsoon season.
Shadi ki Davat in the Middle of a Storm
Prevention is always better than cure and arranging Shadi ki Davat amid clear signs of storm is nothing but foolishness.
Uttarakhand’s Monsoon Dilemma: Panchayat Elections Amidst Intensifying Disaster Threats
Uttarakhand prepares for Panchayat Elections amidst an intensifying monsoon season and heightened disaster threats wherein it is to divert crucial administrative resources for elections, and potentially compromise public safety and democratic fairness.
Mounting Earthquake Risk in Uttarakhand
Ignorance or indifference, be what we are faced with mounting earthquake risk in Uttarakhand and but for immediate and serious corrective measures we are to face disastrous consequences.
The Leaky Logic and the Groaning Ground
Laking safe disposal of rain and wastewater can give rise to the problem of ground instability in the Himalayan region where most habitations are located in close proximity of old landslides.
The Roar from Upstream and Santa’s Precious Watch
If living close to river or stream be watchful of the strange sounds and roar from upstream as the same could be due to a massive flood approaching you. Move immediately to the nearby high ground as you really have little time.
The Crack in the Wall and the Landslide’s Yaaddasht
Minor crack in the wall could be a hint of ground instability and ensuing subsidence. Avoid heavy construction over agricultural land and ensure safe disposal of wastewater to keep your area safe.
Himalayan Pilgrimage: Balancing Devotion with Danger in Uttarakhand’s Skies
Aerial Himalayan pilgrimage is fraught with risks, induced both by terrain and weather conditions. It is therefore required to limit helicopter operations and promote pilgrims to trek.
Santa’s Flying Taxi vs Banta’s Moth in the Dragon’s Throat
Complexities related to terrain and weather conditions in the Himalayan region make Helicopter operations risky. Besides stringent monitoring and regulation, the passengers should be briefed on the risks associated with these Flying Taxi.
The Ahmedabad Air Crash and the Roar of the Tiger
An air crash … UK bound flight from Ahmedabad meeting with an accident. A big setback for aviation industry but then what about the mental state of an occasional flier?
The Fortress of Freedom
Despite hardships Himalaya offered its residents a fortress of freedom, freedom from war and strife and they could devote their energies towards productive pursuits.
People-Powered Development in the Himalayas
The Himalayas eagerly await people-powered development as the alienation of the indigenous people with immense traditional knowledge from the development process is the prime cause of the looming ecological and environmental crisis in the region.
Climate Change and Uttarakhand’s Environment
Climate change as also our actions threaten the life support strategy and welfare of a large population not only in Uttarakhand but also in thee densely populated Indo-Gangetic plains. Urgent remedial action is therefore warranted to save this fragile terrain and welfare of people dependent on it.
The Vulnerability Paradox: Are We Missing the Weak?
Are our DRR interventions missing the weak and vulnerable sections of the community and serving only the ones with safety nets, knowledge, resources, political say and clout.
Climate Change and Disaster Management in Uttarakhand
Climate change impacts are a major challenge for disaster management professionals, and more so in the Himalayan region where the stakes are high and changes are irreversible.
Are We Ready for the Big One?
Earthquake is a harsh reality for the Himalayan region and located in the Seismic Gap the threat is real big for Uttarakhand. We have to evaluate if we are ready for the big one and act positively and quickly.
Understanding Ourselves to Protect Our Future
Our evolutionary programming together with lacking tradition of historical record keeping, enhance our vulnerability and we need to understand ourselves to protect our future.
Faith and Physiology: Navigating the Dangerous Heights of the Char Dham Yatra
The Char Dham Yatra of Uttarakhand attracts pilgrims in large numbers from far and wide and it is the duty of the state to ensure safety and comfort of the pilgrims. Awareness, compulsory acclimatization, specialised high altitude healthcare, prompt and effective response, restriction and regulation hold the key to safe and secure Char Dham Yatra.
Risk Transfer: Your Financial Safety Net Against the Unexpected
Risk transfer through insurance of assets is being recognised globally as being a potent strategy for shielding the communities from fast mounting burden of disaster induced losses and facilitating prompt and full recovery.
Climate Change Induced Implications for Disaster Managers
Though threatening humanity as such, climate change related unexpected and extreme events pose a major challenge for disaster management fraternity of the Himalayan region and warrants gearing up preparations to ensure not being caught off guard.
Discrimination in the Wake of Disasters: The Hidden Inequality
Despite the Constitution prohibiting discrimination the victims of less publicised disasters often get less relief as compared to the victims of high profile disasters. An equitable system is thus advocated for ending this discrimination.
Landslides and Human Habitation in the Himalayan Region: A Delicate Balance
Landslides promote availability of water and fertile land in the mountains and most habitations are therefore located in close proximity of old landslides. Understanding this relationship is crucial to reducing landslide induced losses.
The Deadly Truth About Crowd Collapse: A Survivor’s Guide
Crowd related tragedies are related to crowd collapse or crush and not stampede and crowd density rather than size is the main determinant with risk becoming emminent at 4 persons / sq m.
Traditional Knowledge: An Untapped Resource for Disaster Resilience
At the face of fast increasing disaster frequency and magnitude and challenges posed by changing climate amalgamation of science and traditional knowledge hold the promise to ensure disaster resilience and promote climate adaptation.
The Hidden Danger in the Divine Char Dham Yatra
With wider roads pilgrims from the plains are reaching the Char Dham destinations without due acclimatization which is resulting in heavy loss of human lives and therefore detailed SOP is required to be put in place for Char Dham Yatra.
Small Tremors & Earthquake Risk
Small tremors, though frequent don’t reduce earthquake risk in an area as the energy released by them is relatively insignificant. Get to better understand the implications of small magnitude earthquakes.