Disaster In The Hills: Heads Must Roll

Devastated by the recent disastrous floods, the people in the hills are collecting the shards of their lives amid despair and dejection. But there is also the element of anger that lies beneath their uneasy calm amidst misery.

Locals know the causes, both natural and manmade, behind their suffering and want the heads to roll. Over and above the condolences and financial aid being offered to them by the government and the officialdom, they want examples to be set for future to deter those whose greed has caused the present havoc and has all the potential to cause it in future as well.

One can come across a number of video clips being reported by local level alternate media reporters giving voice to the people. These clips are being recorded in remote areas where the suffering people seem to have been largely forgotten by the mainstream media.

There are heart-rending stories of people pointing at the builders, and big corporate companies responsible for unscientific dumping of muck as they go about executing big road and hydropower projects aiming for huge profits. They also hold the officials of the town and country planning department responsible, along with the revenue department, for turning a blind eye to the encroachment of river banks and allowing constructions that throw all the laws and norms to the winds.

The people are also pointing out at the officials of the forest and the mining departments for axing of trees and failing to check the timber and mining mafias. Even a layman understands and can explain what all has been going on in the name of showing a model of development over the years down the throats of the masses. Everyone knows how laws are being violated with impunity. And once again it has all come to boil at one question – will any heads roll this time?

The positive aspect is that despite all the pressures the people are raising their voice. A case in point here is of the now viral video of Thunag in Seraj area of Mandi in Himachal Pradesh where a huge number of logs are seen flowing with the waters coming down as slush after a cloudburst. Pointing a finger at the ‘illegal and clandestine’ felling of trees there is a demand being raised for a thorough probe and action in the matter.

One can see in the video that the logs are systematically chopped, something that obviously nature can’t do. It is being alleged that the trees were illegally felled in the past and the logs had been buried under the soil to be used later. But the fury of the flash floods exposed it all.

News reports have quoted forest department officials saying that the matter is being investigated but the people want something at a much higher level pointing out that this area is the constituency of former chief minister Jairam Thakur and if such activities can take place here one can imagine the scenario elsewhere.

“To begin with one needs to understand that such activities do not happen without the connivance of officials and politicians. We just want a thorough probe fixing accountability and making those responsible for the misery of the people to pay for their losses.

“Compensation and condolences are fine but you need to call a spade a spade. Whether the victims are big or small, they have a right to know who caused them misery and who needs to pay for their total losses. The meagre government compensation is never enough to pay for the trauma and loss that a common man has suffered,” said Jaivanti, a brave local activist of this remote area who is affiliated to the All India Democratic Women’s Association (AIDWA).

There is both cynicism and scepticism with regards to the question whether any action will be taken against the guilty. “We have seen the junior most staff getting penalised whenever there is noise about illegal felling of trees. Does a beat official or ranger have the guts and ability to allow illegal felling on a large scale?” Jaivanti asked.

Former BJP CM Jairam Thakur had tweeted on July 11, “There has been a lot of damage in Seraj due to heavy rains. To deal with this situation, I stand with the affected families. It is my commitment to compensate for every loss. Under Seraj, visited Thunag and surrounding areas affected by heavy rains and took stock of the damage.

“My heart is saddened to see the suffering of the affected here. Surely the affected will be given proper compensation.” Thakur has been moving around the state visiting the calamity affected people in various districts.

Pointing out at the illegal dumping of muck by the companies executing road construction projects, Mandi based Dharam Prakash Gupta who has been chronicling the developments in the region for several decades said, “These companies have so much clout and power that a district level official can never even think of taking action against them. Things are just expected to get back to routine after a while.”

There have been numerous videos from the Sainj area of Kullu where there has been large-scale devastation in which women are holding hydropower companies responsible for their misery. They have been saying that since the people have cooperated in the execution of ‘developmental projects’, the companies too should be sensitive towards their plight and come forward to help them. The common refrain of the people is that they are not against ‘development’ but it has to be scientific.

“There are remote chances of action being taken and like on previous occasions things will be back to square one once the noise around the devastation dies down and people get busy with their daily struggles,” said N. S. Chauhan, an activist based in the Sainj valley.

Recently during a visit to Shamti area of Solan that has seen around 30 houses being destroyed while 50 others have suffered partial damage affecting around 108 families, Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu was seen expressing solidarity with the affected people and assuring them of all possible assistance to compensate the losses.

Sukhu said that extensive relief and rescue operations initiated in the disaster affected areas in the entire Himachal Pradesh had led to successful saving of numerous lives. The CM has been on the ground throughout interacting with the people which has led to the rise in the people’s expectations on action against the guilty in the days to come along with some other stringent measures.

Sukhu also launched ‘Aapda Rahat Kosh-2023’ website initiating a digital platform aimed at aiding the disaster affected people where individuals can donate money from anywhere using various payment methods such as debit card, credit card, net banking, QR code and UPI.

Highlighting the severity of the situation, he said that Himachal Pradesh has faced immense losses due to the unprecedented rainfall, marking the worst calamity the state has experienced in the last 50 years.

Meanwhile, the Forum of Hydro Power Producers (HPPF) in Satluj, Beas, Ravi Chenab and Yamuna Basins has contributed Rs. 5 lakh to the Chief Minister's Relief Fund to aid in the state's rehabilitation and relief efforts.

According to a release HPPF chairperson Harikesh Meena stated, "We stand in solidarity with the people of Himachal Pradesh during this challenging time. Our thoughts and prayers are with the affected communities.

“Through our donation to the Chief Minister's Relief Fund, we hope to contribute to the state's efforts in providing relief, support, and rebuilding the lives of those impacted. The contribution is a testament to HPPF's commitment to the welfare of the people of Himachal Pradesh and it is hoped that this gesture will help alleviate the suffering of those impacted by the disaster.”

While one is talking about the people and the calamity, there is an interesting video from Uttarakhand doing the rounds where an angry state assembly speaker and legislator Ritu Khanduri is taking on a bureaucrat over the collapse of a bridge on Malan river in her constituency of Kotdwar. The video highlights the all important issue of rampant illegal mining.

The state has reportedly witnessed a collapse of no less than 39 bridges in the last around six years. A visibly annoyed Ritu is seen reminding the bureaucrats about her numerous requests and letters regarding illegal mining to no avail, eventually leading to the collapse of yet another bridge.

For those well versed with the state of affairs in Uttarakhand, it is a common knowledge that illegal mining in the river beds of one of the youngest states of the Indian union has proved to be a money spinning venture for a nexus of politicians, bureaucrats, contractors, businessmen, builders and the persons responsible for enforcing laws that have largely remained existent only on paper. Even the smallest of streams and rivulets have not been spared.

No lessons have been learnt even from the most severe disasters like the one at Kedarnath where thousands had reportedly perished a decade ago or the one at Joshimath that came to limelight a few months ago where many have been rendered homeless on account of land subsidence.

Here too the moot question remains on fixing responsibilities and taking action against the guilty. “Sadly there is a set pattern that is visible in the face of disasters where there is condolence, compensation and probe. What happens after the probe? What about the dereliction of duty?

“Joshimath is the biggest example where the people are waiting for the government to reveal the findings of the top science institutions regarding the causes that led to the large scale subsidence in the area. It is all about the issue of mindset, mind space and culture not being there or acting against those responsible,” pointed out social activist Anoop Nautiyal who is based in Dehradun and has considerable experience in dealing and evaluating disasters.

The administration and bureaucracy have largely had a free run being absolved of every responsibility and accountability.“The safety aspect is not there in the policy. There is no macro planning and overview with regards to public works. The aspect of ethics is missing and the attitude is casual. The safety concept is a must for all the Himalayan states where there is a need for a safety audit to fill the gaps,” Nautiyal added.

Pointing out at the ‘episodic’ treatment of disasters, he further added, “It can be lethargy or corruption or no will to act. The system is such that who do you assign responsibility and hold accountable. One can refer to the scam during the last Kumbh Mela in 2021 that had revolved around fake Covid-19 testing. What has come of it?”

Just while this report was being filed there was news of yet another disaster pouring in the form of 16 people reportedly dying of electrocution at Nmami Gange project site in Chamoli on Wednesday. Condolences have started pouring in and a probe has been ordered.

Cover Photo: PTI