Special care was taken to assemble wood and stone components of the walls of the multistories traditional houses of the Himalayan region and this made these structures earthquake safe.
Traditional knowledge
The “One-Piece Wall” Secret: Cornerstones and Through-Stones
Under traditional stone masonry of Uttarakhand corner and through stones were strategically utilised to ensure structural integrity of the walls. Such practices reflect a deep understanding of stone masonry and its response to external forces.
Santa’s Awe at the “Mountain Towers” of Yamuna Valley
Our ancestors had developed the art or earthquake safe construction and were able to build 4 – 5 storied houses almost 1000 years back and these have survived the test of time.
The “Bargain Plot” by the Spring and the Ancestors’ Knowing Wink
Despite agricultural land and water being being available on m middle and lower valley slopes people of the Himalayan region chose upper slopes for habitation as these places provided safety and strategic advantage. Preferring safety over convenience was the Golden Rule of our ancestors that we are evading.
The Digital Dhara and the Map of Memories
What happens when a village elder’s memory meets a teenager’s drone? You get the “Resilient Heritage Map.” Join Santa and Banta as they witness the ultimate collaboration: a high-tech “Digital Dhara” that combines ancient wisdom with GIS technology to ensure their village is never caught off guard again. The trilogy concludes with a lesson on why the best way to see the future is through the eyes of the past.
The Shortcut to Heaven and the Lost Echoes
We have gained speed, but we have lost the Ras. The new “shortcut to heaven” has a hidden cost: the erosion of the communal bonds and traditional wisdom that once kept our villages safe. A moving reflection on why true resilience is found in our shared journeys, not just our destinations.
The Forgotten Leaf and the Weeping Ghost
Improvisation of traditional healing practices can ensure much needed medical assistance in remote areas that have shortage of mainstream health professionals and health care facilities.
Unraveling the Complex Web of Landslide Vulnerability and Resilience
The Himalayan landscape holds a dangerous secret. This article unravels how our own choices—not just climate change—are turning natural hazards into preventable catastrophes, and offers a blueprint for a safer future.
The Scientist’s New Compass
To stop being disaster detective and try becoming community doctor, was Banta’s advise to the brilliant young scientist and he was quick to grasp and launch a new mission.
The River That Held Its Breath
On way to Yamunotri, Santa and Banta witness a massive landslide near Syana Chatti. The real terror began when the mighty Yamuna river below them slowed to a silent, ominous trickle.