As landslides continue to claim lives in the Western Ghats and Himalayan regions, Bharat Dogra says urgent action is needed to address flawed development practices and ecological degradation. The recent disaster in Kerala’s Wayanad district underscores the growing risks from climate change and human negligence.
The recent landslides in India’s Western Ghats and Himalayan regions have brought into sharp focus the increasing threat posed by these natural disasters. On July 30, a catastrophic landslide struck Wayanad district in Kerala, a state often celebrated for its progressive development but now facing the consequences of long-term ecological neglect.
Kerala, known globally for its social achievements, is also grappling with the darker side of development—ecological degradation. The state, along with the broader Western Ghats region, has seen a disturbing rise in the frequency and intensity of natural calamities, particularly floods and landslides. These disasters are often triggered by a combination of heavy rainfall, likely exacerbated by climate change, and irresponsible human activities.
In the early hours of July 30, three villages in Wayanad were devastated when debris from a landslide flowed into a nearby river, creating a deadly torrent. This surge of water and debris cascaded down the hillsides, leaving a trail of death and destruction in its wake. The tragic loss of human life is estimated to be around 350, a grim reminder of the deadly consequences of ignoring ecological warnings.
Amidst this tragedy, there were also stories of heroism. Rescue teams managed to save about 1,500 people from the affected areas, working tirelessly under extremely challenging conditions. Their efforts, though commendable, are a stark contrast to the preventable nature of this disaster.
Ecologist Madhav Gadgil, who chaired the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel, was quick to point out that this tragedy could have been largely averted if the state government had heeded the panel’s recommendations. Gadgil noted that the affected area was classified as highly ecologically sensitive, where activities like construction and quarrying should have been strictly regulated.
The torrential rains that contributed to the landslide are likely a symptom of the broader impacts of climate change, which has led to increasingly erratic and extreme weather patterns. However, the human role in exacerbating these natural disasters cannot be overlooked.
In northern India, particularly in the Himalayan region, landslides have become an all-too-common occurrence during the monsoon season. These landslides are increasingly linked to a combination of climate change-induced extreme weather events and irresponsible development practices. The widespread and indiscriminate construction, excessive mining, and quarrying have destabilized the region’s fragile ecosystems, making them more prone to such disasters.
Himachal Pradesh, in particular, has witnessed a surge in “cloud bursts,” where intense rainfall occurs in a short period over a small area, often leading to landslides. In many instances, these landslides have been triggered by large-scale infrastructure projects, such as the widening of highways and the construction of tunnels and dams. The felling of tens of thousands of trees and the use of flawed construction practices have further compounded the risk.
During a visit to one such affected community, residents voiced their desperation, pleading for resettlement in safer locations. Their plight underscores the urgent need for a more cautious approach to development in these ecologically sensitive regions.
The lessons from these disasters are clear: there must be a greater focus on disaster prevention, particularly in mitigating human-made risks. Immediate action is needed to ensure the safety of those still living in high-risk areas, and comprehensive support must be provided to those who have lost loved ones and livelihoods.
The larger challenge, however, lies in identifying high-risk zones and taking preventive measures to avoid future tragedies like the one in Wayanad. Most importantly, there is an urgent need for ecologically sensitive development policies that prioritize environmental protection in hilly regions. This includes halting deforestation, regulating construction, and restricting mining activities.
Only by adopting such measures can we hope to protect vulnerable communities and prevent further loss of life in India’s ecologically fragile regions.