Hiccups in the Himalayas Reading the Warning Signs in Uttarakhand
TerraGreen|May 2024
Joshimath’s location on the middle slope of a hill, built on the debris of an ancient landslide triggered by an earthquake, contributes to its vulnerability to natural disasters. In this article, Priyanka Vadrevu says there is an urgent need to focus on the preventive measures to protect the endangered ecology of Joshimath and nearby areas. Large-scale afforestation plans need to be undertaken to boost soil binding and holding capacity which will eventually recharge underground aquifers as a portable source of water and also will fill the voids in rocks, enhancing the land resistance.
Priyanka Vadrevu
Hiccups in the Himalayas Reading the Warning Signs in Uttarakhand

Joshimath, also known as Kartikeyapura named after Kartikeya, the God of Katyuri kings and the son of Lord Shiva, is the ancient and picturesque town in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, which has been breaking for some time now, however, the urgent pleas to mend it has been ignored every time. The town lies in seismic zone V, which makes it the most active earthquake prone area in the Indian Himalayan geographical region and is anyway precariously positioned when it comes to frequent as well as high-intensity earthquakes.

The Himalayan biome works in a very complex manner compared to the other biomes on the planet. Further, the geosphere (land), hydrosphere (water) and biosphere (ecology) are all the combined components of the Himalayan mountains and they keep interacting with each other continuously and comprehensively in the young HinduKush Himalayan (HKH) region. Being an active plate tectonic collision zone it adds onto the continuity of geographical events, majorly disastrous (flash floods, avalanches, landslides, earthquakes, debris flow, etc.) which results in the loss of human lives, flora & fauna, and livestock on the third pole of the earth.

The land subsidence being witnessed in Uttarakhand’s Joshimath in 2023 has triggered an ecological and humanitarian crisis, and it arises from the complex mechanism of Himalayan plates active for almost over a century now when the area was formed by debris of a landslide that happened at the time.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM TERRAGREENView all
Empowering Tomorrow's Workforce The Rise of Vocational Education in India
TerraGreen

Empowering Tomorrow's Workforce The Rise of Vocational Education in India

The young population in India presents both opportunities and challenges, as the workforce needs practical skills that conventional education often lacks. Vocational education and training VET) is essential to provide job-specific expertise, bridging the gap between academic knowledge and industry demands. In this article, Amarpreet Kaur and Vidhi Rani highlight that vocational education and training serve as a cornerstone in India’s efforts to propel economic growth and empower its burgeoning workforce. Vocational education and training are a fundamental component of modern education systems, addressing a pressing need in society. The alignment of VET with the G20 objectives emphasizes its crucial role in inclusive growth, employment, and human capital development.

time-read
5 mins  |
May 2024
Eco-conscious and Sustainability-focused Brand Kheoni Paving the Way for a Greener Future
TerraGreen

Eco-conscious and Sustainability-focused Brand Kheoni Paving the Way for a Greener Future

\"If you really, truly are into sustainability, you cannot operate in isolation. You need to be transparent.\" -Khayal Garg, Green Warrior

time-read
4 mins  |
May 2024
Water Sustainability Flexible approaches for managing and conserving water resources
TerraGreen

Water Sustainability Flexible approaches for managing and conserving water resources

In this article, Vijeta Thakur and Dr S K Bhardwaj discuss innovative technologies for water conservation along with urban water management solutions. They also explore policy and governance approaches regarding water conservation. Implementing Integrated Water Resource Management IWRM) helps coordinate the management of water resources across different sectors and stakeholders, balancing competing demands and ensuring sustainable use. Developing transparent and equitable water allocation systems, coupled with appropriate pricing mechanisms that reflect the true value of water, can incentivize conservation and efficient use while ensuring access for all.

time-read
5 mins  |
May 2024
Lady Banks' Rose A Lady's Shady Rose
TerraGreen

Lady Banks' Rose A Lady's Shady Rose

The world may have been having an irate look towards China, cursing her for COVID-19 virus, assertions in South China Sea, and her alleged expansionist policies and so on. Whether she really deserves these insinuations may be a matter of academic discussions; there however, is no denying to the fact that the old Dragon has bestowed the world with things beautiful enough to capture anybody's attention

time-read
3 mins  |
May 2024
The Vanishing Bristled Grassbird
TerraGreen

The Vanishing Bristled Grassbird

In this article, Dr Surya Prakash tells us about the bristled grassbird, known scientifically as Chaetornis striatus. Endemic to the Indian subcontinent, the bristled grassbird finds itself perilously perched on the brink of endangerment, classified as a‘Vulnerable Species’ by the IUCN since 2010. The relentless decline in its population can be attributed primarily to habitat loss. Keep reading to know more...

time-read
2 mins  |
May 2024
Embracing Climate Disclosure Governance India's Banking Sector's Resilient Step
TerraGreen

Embracing Climate Disclosure Governance India's Banking Sector's Resilient Step

With the introduction of the Disclosure Framework on Climate-related Financial Risks 2024)’ by RBI, it is quite apparent that the banking sector is continuously striving towards sustainability and climate sensitization. The new framework evolves the narrative, acknowledging the inevitability of climate change affecting these entities and, consequently, the broader financial stability. The framework not only acts as a means to inform the various stakeholders about climate-related issues but also to develop a narrative of financial resilience in the face of unprecedented challenges related to climate risks. Naman Mishra and Dr Megha Jain say that the framework is built upon four main pillars—Governance, Strategy, Risk Management, and Metrics Targets. Keep reading to know more...

time-read
3 mins  |
May 2024
India's Carbon Market On the Verge of Reality
TerraGreen

India's Carbon Market On the Verge of Reality

In this article, Yukta Anand and Prof. Asheesh Pandey throw light on carbon market, which is soon going to be a reality for India.

time-read
6 mins  |
May 2024
Water Equation India and the Nordics
TerraGreen

Water Equation India and the Nordics

The Nordic countries, known for their commitment to sustainable development and environmental protection, offer invaluable knowledge and technologies to improve water management practices. From state-of-the-art water purification systems to sustainable irrigation techniques, Nordic expertise provides crucial tools to mitigate the effects of climate change on water resources. In this thought-provoking article, Biba Jasmine discusses that by utilizing the expertise and cutting-edge technologies from the Nordic region, Indian industries can enhance their water management systems, reduce pollution, and increase resource efficiency.

time-read
10 mins  |
May 2024
Charging towards Sustainability The Circular Revolution of EV Battery Recycling
TerraGreen

Charging towards Sustainability The Circular Revolution of EV Battery Recycling

Ankit Sharma is the Co-Founder & Director, Vidyuta Materials Pvt. Ltd., which stands at the forefront of innovation in the energy storage industry, pioneering the manufacturing of cutting-edge battery materials for the batteries used in energy storage systems (ESS), electric vehicles (EVS), mobiles, laptops, etc.

time-read
5 mins  |
May 2024
The Magic of Traditional Indian Barbeque Strengthening local economy and sustainability
TerraGreen

The Magic of Traditional Indian Barbeque Strengthening local economy and sustainability

Manu Shrivastava's article highlights the traditional dishes of South Gujarat and Maharashtra's Konkan region-ubadiyu, undhiyu, and popti.

time-read
7 mins  |
May 2024