Himalayan plunder: How hydropower projects in the hills have increased disasters there

There has been a mushrooming of hydroprojects in the Himalayas despite the fact that they are prone to landslides and earthquakes

GM Mustard, Joshimath: Gagging scientists is a lousy idea; here’s why

Science needs to be open; the silencing of experts by the Modi regime on critical issues is against the public interest

After Joshimath, what?

A series of 7 columns on various issues affecting the Indian portion of the Himalayas in the light of the Joshimath disaster

Himalayan plunder: Certain towns at greater risk

While the entire Himalayan region is fragile, the zones that receive snow and rain are the most unstable

North India Deluge 2023: Spectre of flooding hangs over Joshimath after glacial burst

The town’s residents have not yet been given alternative housing after January’s subsidence; they have been left to fend for themselves

Himalayan Plunder: Balanced tourism critical

Promoting tourism in the Himalayas should not come at the cost of the region’s environment and ecology

Joshimath dispatch: Afraid to report cracks in homes, locals protesting demolition of hotels say

Joshimath locals claim they have been stopped from entering their houses; demand clarity and transparency in compensation

Infographic: Himalayan blunders

Haphazard infrastructure development has made the fragile Himalayas even more vulnerable

Himalayan plunder: Save the springs of the region

Drying up of the important water sources will have a profound impact on people and the ecosystem

Safety from numbers: Tourism in the Himalayas is not uniform; its impacts though are detrimental

Over-exploitation of some Himalayan towns due to huge influx of people and vehicles can be dealt with by developing more tourist spots and …

Joshimath Crisis: We must learn to live with earthquakes in the Himalayas

The Himalayan frontier area where Joshimath is located has witnessed many earthquakes in the past

SC declines to designate Joshimath crisis a national disaster; redirects petitioner to HC

We don’t want anyone to use these proceedings only for sound bytes for social media, SC said

DTE Reportage: How Joshimath has rung alarm bells across India’s Himalayan states

Down To Earth tracks ground situations in Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal, Sikkim, Assam and Manipur

Himalayan plunder: How to design cities in the region

Build lighter structures, ensure proper drainage and use local knowledge to future-proof the region

Which towns in Uttarakhand are next in line after Joshimath?

Karnaprayag, Nainital, Pithoragarh, Pauri and Gopeshwar can suffer a fate similar to Joshimath, scientists have warned 

New Joshimath: Activist demands town on the lines of ‘New Tehri’. But where will it come up?

Land subsidence is a ‘silent disaster’ that has taken hold of the Uttarakhand Himalayas; around 500 villages in the state are already …

As told to Parliament (February 9, 2023): Land subsidence in Joshimath very old issue, claims power minister

In response to another question asked this week, the minister said Tapovan-Vishnugad Hydro Electric Project is far away from the site where …

Supreme Court to hear plea over survey of Himalayan states

Sustainability potential, carrying capacity of the 13 states in Himalayan region has not been studied, alleges plea; warns of more ecological …

Himalayan plunder: Why Sikkim geologists fear Joshimath-like disasters

Sikkim, also in eastern Himalayas, is plagued by unchecked development & lacks strong civil society to voice concerns

Joshimath sinking: National highway construction in 100-km range of border now has riders

Environment ministry issues new SOP for national highways earlier exempt from environmental clearance

Himalayan plunder: Manipur landslides raise environmental questions

Considering the long-term nature of the ongoing project, it is necessary to adopt regulatory and monitoring mechanisms at the vulnerable slopes

After Joshimath, it could be Karnaprayag, Nainital and other Uttarakhand towns next, say experts

Policy interventions are needed on construction work in Himalayan regions to avoid a repeat of Joshimath, according to experts  

Grasslands, forests and glaciers decreased in the Kedarnath-Joshimath region over 3 decades

Glacial decrease in Kedarnath and the surrounding region can be attributed to increase in surface radiative temperature & runoff, shows study

Joshimath Sinking: Preparations for Char Dham Yatra begin; locals still clueless about permanent rehabilitation

Reports by eight central technical institutes behind the cause for the crisis in the holy town not released to public yet.

Himalayan plunder: Stop excessive, aggressive development

Incidents such as Joshimath subsidence will continue to occur if policy approaches do not change