INDIAN HIMALAYAN RANGE (IHR)
1. Context
The Indian Himalayan Range (IHR), comprising 11 States and two Union Territories, had a decadal urban growth rate of more than 40% from 2011 to 2021. Towns have expanded, and more urban settlements are developing. However, Himalayan towns require a different definition of urbanisation.
2. What is the Indian Himalayan Range (IHR) ?
The Indian Himalayan Range, commonly referred to as the Himalayas, is a vast and prominent mountain range in Asia. It stretches across five countries: India, Nepal, Bhutan, China, and Pakistan. In India, it runs along the northern border and extends from the westernmost point in Jammu and Kashmir to the easternmost point in Arunachal Pradesh.
Key features of the Indian Himalayan Range include:
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The range spans about 2,400 kilometers (1,500 miles) from west to east.
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Major Peaks: It contains some of the world's highest peaks, including Mount Everest (8,848 meters), Kanchenjunga (8,586 meters), and Nanda Devi (7,816 meters).
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Divisions: The range is often divided into three main sections:
- Western Himalayas: Includes regions like Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh.
- Central Himalayas: Includes parts of Uttarakhand and western Nepal.
- Eastern Himalayas: Includes Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, and eastern Nepal.
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The Himalayas are crucial for their ecological, hydrological, and cultural impacts. They are the source of several major rivers, such as the Ganges, Yamuna, and Brahmaputra, and have a diverse range of flora and fauna. They also hold significant cultural and spiritual importance in Hinduism, Buddhism, and other local traditions
3. Situation of Indian Himalayan Range (IHR)
- Many towns in the Himalayan region, including state capitals, face difficulties in addressing civic issues. Cities such as Srinagar, Guwahati, Shillong, and Shimla, along with smaller towns, encounter considerable problems with sanitation, waste management, and water resources.
- Planning institutions in these states often struggle due to reliance on models adapted from plains regions and their limited capacity to execute these plans effectively. For example, in the Kashmir Valley, excluding Srinagar Municipal Corporation, there are only 15 executive officers overseeing over 40 urban local bodies, reflecting a significant shortage of human resources.
- Urban expansion continues to encroach on village commons, with cities like Srinagar and Guwahati exemplifying this trend. This growth results in the degradation of open spaces, forest lands, and watersheds.
- In Srinagar, land use data from 2000 to 2020 shows a 75.58% increase in built-up areas, while water bodies have decreased by nearly 25%, from 19.36 square kilometers to 14.44 square kilometers.
- The area occupied by built-up real estate has grown from 34.53 square kilometers to 60.63 square kilometers, representing an increase from 13.35% to 23.44% of the total municipal area. Additionally, almost 90% of liquid waste is discharged into water bodies without treatment
- The Indian Himalayan Region (IHR) is increasingly burdened by urbanization and development pressures, exacerbated by high levels of tourism, unsustainable infrastructure, and excessive use of resources like land and water.
- These challenges are further intensified by climate changes such as altered precipitation patterns and rising temperatures.
- Consequently, the region is experiencing water shortages, deforestation, land degradation, biodiversity loss, and heightened pollution, including from plastics. These factors have the potential to disrupt both lives and livelihoods, affecting the socio-ecological balance of the Himalayas.
- In recent decades, tourism in the IHR has expanded and diversified, with an expected average annual growth rate of 7.9% from 2013 to 2023.
- However, current tourism practices often replace eco-friendly infrastructure with unsuitable and hazardous constructions, poorly designed roads, and inadequate waste management systems.
- This leads to the depletion of natural resources and harm to biodiversity and ecosystem services. Emphasizing ecotourism, which focuses on environmentally responsible travel, is essential for ensuring long-term sustainability
4.Possible Solutions
- Planning institutions in cities within the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR) still rely on traditional land-use principles. Each town should be mapped with layers that highlight vulnerabilities from both geological and hydrological perspectives. Climate-induced disasters annually damage infrastructure that lacks such comprehensive mapping. Consequently, the planning process should involve local communities and adopt a bottom-up approach.
- Urban planning driven by consultants should be reconsidered for Himalayan towns, with a focus instead on designing for climate resilience.
- Furthermore, IHR cities struggle to generate the capital needed for infrastructure. The Finance Commission should include a dedicated section on urban financing for the IHR. Due to high urban service costs and the absence of industrial corridors, these towns face unique financial challenges.
- Intergovernmental transfers from the central government to urban local bodies currently make up only 0.5% of GDP; this should be increased to at least 1%. Himalayan towns need to participate in broader discussions on sustainability, emphasizing robust, eco-centric planning processes that include public input
5. What is the Significance of Himalayas for India?
The Himalayas hold immense significance for India across various dimensions:
- The Himalayas form a natural barrier between the Indian subcontinent and the Tibetan Plateau, influencing weather patterns and climate. They protect India from the cold winds of Central Asia and help moderate the temperatures in the northern plains
- The Himalayas are the source of major rivers such as the Ganges, Yamuna, Brahmaputra, and their tributaries. These rivers are crucial for agriculture, drinking water, and hydroelectric power generation in India
- The range is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, many of which are endemic to the region. This includes species like the Bengal tiger, snow leopard, and various medicinal plants, contributing to India’s rich biodiversity
- The mountains play a critical role in regulating the climate of the Indian subcontinent. They influence the monsoon winds and precipitation patterns, which are essential for the agricultural cycle and water supply
- The Himalayas are deeply embedded in Indian culture and spirituality. They are considered sacred in Hinduism, Buddhism, and other religions. Many important pilgrimage sites, such as the Char Dham, Mount Kailash, and the Yamunotri and Gangotri temples, are located in the region
- The Himalayas are rich in natural resources, including minerals, forests, and potential sites for hydropower projects. They support various industries and livelihoods, from traditional crafts to tourism
- The Himalayas attract tourists from around the world for their natural beauty, trekking opportunities, and adventure sports. This tourism contributes significantly to the local economies of Himalayan states
- The region holds strategic military importance due to its proximity to several neighboring countries. The challenging terrain also acts as a natural defense barrier
- The Himalayas play a vital role in maintaining ecological balance. They help in soil conservation, prevent soil erosion, and influence the hydrological cycles essential for sustaining various ecosystems
What is Char Dham Highway Development Project?The Char Dham Highway Development Project is an ambitious infrastructure initiative by the Government of India aimed at improving the road connectivity and infrastructure in the Char Dham pilgrimage circuit in Uttarakhand. This project focuses on enhancing access to four major Hindu pilgrimage sites:
The project involves widening and upgrading existing roads, constructing new roads, and improving road safety measures. This aims to facilitate smoother and safer travel for pilgrims and tourists.
It seeks to provide year-round accessibility to these remote and high-altitude pilgrimage sites, which are often difficult to reach, especially during adverse weather conditions.
The project includes building bridges, tunnels, and other critical infrastructure to overcome geographical challenges and ensure better connectivity. For example, the construction of tunnels is designed to bypass landslide-prone areas and difficult terrains
Improved road infrastructure is expected to boost local economies by facilitating better transportation of goods and services and increasing tourism-related activities
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6.Way Forward
Indian Himalayan Range stands as a monumental and multifaceted feature of the Indian subcontinent, encompassing vital roles in geography, ecology, culture, and economy. This majestic mountain range is not only a natural barrier that influences climatic patterns but also a crucial source of water for major rivers that sustain millions of people. Its rich biodiversity and ecological significance further underscore its importance as a global environmental treasure
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For Prelims: Indian Himalayan range, Glacial lakes
For Mains: GS I Indian Geography - Significance of Indian Himalayas
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Previous Year Questions (PYQ)
1.When you travel in Himalayas, you will see the following: (UPSC CSE 2012)
Which of the above can be said to be the evidence for Himalayas being young fold mountains? (a) 1 and 2 only Answer (d) |
Source: The Hindu
