The holy site for the Hindu faith, Joshimath, has turned into a disaster zone. For months, residents have been protesting the construction of a hydroelectric plant nearby, warning of the consequences it would bring to their community. Now the buildings with several floors have suffered cracks, while the roads have got big cracks. Over 850 houses have become uninhabitable.
For months, the 29,000 or so residents of the Indian town of Joshimath, a hidden place in the Himalayas that is worshiped by Hindu and Sikh pilgrims, have watched as the earth slowly devours their community.
They have appealed in vain for help and in January their case was internationalized. But now the town of Joshimath has become a zone of destruction. Multi-story hotels are tilted; cracks in the road remain open. Over 850 houses have become uninhabitable, and instead of aid, here came the bulldozers to level large parts of the town.
Situated at a height of 1,890 meters above sea level, the town of Joshimath is said to have special spiritual powers. As visitors continue to pass through the town, around 240 families have already been forced to leave.
“This is the spiritual capital of Hinduism for 2,500 years, for all of northern India. So it must be protected. As with our body, if any of the limbs are cut off or malfunction, we can continue to live albeit crippled. But if something happens to the brain, then it will be very difficult for the body to function. So Joshimath is the brain for the entire north, so its protection is extremely important,” says Brahmachari Mukundanand, priest at the Adi Shankaracharya Temple.
Residents have protested against the construction of a hydroelectric plant. Locals say that the explosions for the construction of a tunnel at a distance of about 12 kilometers, are the cause of the destruction of their houses.
“For the last 17-18 years, we have raised our voice continuously against the hydropower project, and today because of this project, the historic city of Joshimath is on the verge of destruction, in its last breath. The 22 thousand inhabitants live in fear and terror. They face the disaster and do not know what will happen. We have repeatedly said that this is an unfolding disaster. Every day the cracks widen and widen,” says Atul Sati, member of the “Save Joshimath” committee.
A commission of experts is still investigating the cause, but state officials say a faulty sewer system is to blame. Ignoring the warnings of experts, the authorities have continued with costly projects in the region, including a long highway.
“Many other endangered areas have been created as a result of the construction of the Char Dham road. And the main goal is to bring tourists to the temples that are in the Himalayan region, and this is the endangered part of the Himalayas,” says environmental activist Ravi Chopra.
Authorities say the growing demand for visitors had overwhelmed the existing infrastructure. A highway with a length of 889 kilometers, as well as a railway of 327 kilometers will pass through the mountains.
Residents along the road, nearly 100 kilometers away from the town of Joshimath, fear that damage from the cracks may also occur in their homes.
“We are troubled, like the people in Joshimath. These works that are done for the railway; if you dig up the mountain, the ground will slide. This can happen anywhere. As it happened there, it can happen here. We have no security here. We are scared,” says Sangeeta Krishali, a resident of Lachmoli.
With the heavy work required for the hydro plant, such as rock blasting, river diversion and deforestation, in a region already experiencing the effects of climate change, experts warn that irreparable damage could be caused. /VOA
To join the “Fourals.com” group, just click: Join Group and your request will be approved immediately. Fourals.com Group
