After Joshimath land subsidence, NGT orders study for Mussoorie over allowing constructions and safeguards

The tribunal has constituted a nine-member joint committee to be headed by the Chief Secretary, Uttarakhand, with members including representatives from the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, Dehradun, the Govind Ballabh Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment, and the National Institute of Hydrology (NIH), Roorkee.

The order states the committee may suggest remedial measures to prevent environmental damage in the light of carrying capacity, hydro-geology studies, and geo-morphological studies. It is required to complete its studies within two months.

NGT has initiated proceedings suo motu after media reports on land subsidence in Joshimath being a warning for other towns like Mussoorie in the Himalayas.

Additional District Magistrate (Administration), Dehradun, K K Misra, has submitted to NGT that an inspection was done on January 12 this year with regard to seepage and land subsidence of the road adjoining buildings at Landour Bazaar, Mussoorie. “Some 4-5 storeyed buildings were directed to be vacated vide notice dated 21.03.2022 as they are in dilapidated condition. A sewage line is passing through the land which has subsided. There are no drains for drainage of the rainwater in the 50 metre area of the buildings. Absence of proper drainage is the reason for subsidence of sewer line and road,” Misra submitted.

The tribunal has noted that Misra’s statement “confirms to some extent that potential for disaster at Mussoorie is not ruled out unless safeguards are taken”.

The order added: “Such potential exists in other hill cities of the country also, particularly in the Himalayan region which has been noted in some orders of the Tribunal earlier to which brief reference may be made. The Tribunal noted that hilly areas have their own ecosystem with peculiar needs on account of fragility and their unique flora and fauna.”

From the homepage

Amit Shah’s deadline to end Naxalism looming, Maoists make a request: Give time till Feb 15 

As new labour codes spark a row, a look at rise and fall of trade unions in India

‘One of them even said I should get a Chinese passport…mocked me’: Woman ‘held up at Shanghai airport’ over Arunachal mention in passport