Our Mountains: Handle with Care ...
As I write this article, I am still haunted by the tragic aftermath of the landslide in Wayanad and the heartbreaking scenes I saw on television. I still occasionally have nightmares of the ground slipping away, burying entire human settlements. I can still hear the cries of the children, who, in the sudden darkness, could not even comprehend what was happening to them and why they had to sacrifice their lives.
Despite knowing all this sorrow and death, many of us environmentalists feel helpless. We can only write such articles or submit a few petitions to the authorities. Previously, I had written in this same column about the need to regulate tourism in the Himalayas. I had argued that there should be a central regulatory policy encompassing all Himalayan states to ensure the protection of the Himalayas, from Jammu to Darjeeling. I had also mentioned that the Himalayas are not mountains that can withstand drilling and grinding, that they are not capable of handling the carbon emissions from vehicles or hotels, and that they do not need haphazard construction. I had also pointed out that the Himalayan ecology cannot endure plastic, hence the need for strict regulations against plastic.
But amid all this, one day, news came from Wayanad that landslides had occurred and hundreds of people had died! Once again, it felt like a slap on all our faces, a reminder that not only the Himalayas but all mountains and ecosystems across India need special protection. However, we have become so indifferent towards ecological and environmental protection that we no longer fear the darkness of our future. The irony is that while we are spending billions on space exploration and research on other planets, the Earth, which needs our care and preservation the most, is being neglected!
Perhaps it pains me even more that for us, our mountains are merely piles of stones and soil, whereas the tiny pebbles and rocks on Mars or the Moon, where nature chose not to sustain life, seem to have become precious. I am not saying we should stop spending money on space exploration; such research is indeed important for human existence. However, the curiosity and enthusiasm we have for Mars and the Moon should also translate into efforts to save our own planet!
Thus, climate change disasters have become extremely common now. While the main focus of our today's article is the protection of mountains, I will conclude by highlighting the critical steps we need to take to save them.
How should we treat our mountains?
1) Ban on Construction on Mountains:* Construction on mountains increases the risk of landslides. Therefore, there should be a complete ban on construction activities on mountains.
2) To save our mountains, we must first bring about a change in our mindset. We should respect nature and make efforts to protect it. While we may dream of establishing colonies in space, we must also work to save our Earth. Otherwise, our existence could be at risk.
3) Environmentally Friendly Farming:* Environmentally friendly farming practices should be adopted in mountainous regions.
4) Pollution Control: Strict regulations should be established to prevent pollution in mountainous areas, particularly regarding vehicle emissions and noise pollution.
To save our mountains, we must first bring about a change in our mindset. We should respect nature and make efforts to protect it. While we may dream of establishing colonies in space, we must also work to save our Earth. Otherwise, our existence could be at risk.