Sunday, 09 July 2023 | PNS | NAINITAL

More than a year after the start of the Joshimath land subsidence disaster, the failure of the government to prepare an effective work plan for saving or relocating Joshimath, lack of a proper rehabilitation plan or policy for the affected people and failure of the government to act on the various demands of the local residents despite the assurance of chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami are causes for grave concern. Stating this, the convenor of Joshimath Bachao Sangharsh Samiti, Atul Sati said that one can gauge the sensitivity of the government on this serious issue from its stance. He said this while addressing media persons here on Saturday. Sati said that a meet will be held to discuss the issue in Nainital on Sunday.

Sati said that at a time when the ongoing monsoon has exacerbated the risk of natural disasters in all Mountainous Regions of the State, the situation in Joshimath is all the more risky as it has already suffered from land subsidence and cracks. In such a situation the disaster affected people are once again having to live in cracked homes and risky areas which is a serious issue. This also raises a question mark on the functioning of the government, he said. Sati said that the movement of the people in Joshimath had elicited the attention of the global community but what can one say about the attitude of the government on this issue at a time when most of the mountainous regions in the State are in the shadow of disaster. All the mountainous regions from Uttarkashi to Dharchula are in trouble and the situation in Nainital city is not much different. He said, “This is not a question of Joshimath alone. The manner in which activities are being carried out in the name of development in the Himalayan Region, the danger is being faced in all areas. Work on the Char Dham all-weather road project, tunneling for the rail project and hydro power projects have put the entire region at risk.

The general public is suffering the consequences of these activities. The construction of these projects is not only damaging and destroying the environment and ecology but will also put the future of the coming generations at risk.The entire Himalayan region is very vulnerable and is a treasure of biodiversity which is a heritage of entire humanity. Protecting this region is a collective responsibility and also vital for the existence of humans. The land subsidence in Joshimath should also be seen in this context.”

He said that the locals and others involved in the movement in Joshimath are waiting for action on the 11-point demands raised during the movement. A meet on this issue will be held in Nainital on Sunday, he added.