Demolitions begin in India’s ‘sinking’ Joshimath, hundreds moved
Al JazeeraNov 29, 2022
The Facts
On Tuesday, authorities in the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand began the process of demolishing 678 unsafe houses — which developed huge cracks over the past week — in the sacred Himalayan town of Joshimath.
Meanwhile, residents staged massive protests demanding four times the compensation of the present value of the damaged buildings, which are set to be demolished on Wednesday.
The Spin
Establishment-critical narrative
Joshimath's sinking is just the start. The government must conduct a scientific study of hill towns to determine their carrying capacity, both for the benefit of tourists and locals. It is also necessary to closely regulate rampant infrastructure development in the fragile Himalayan ecosystem, as Joshimath's sinking may have been due to the multiple ongoing hydroelectric projects and rapid expansion of roads in the area. The incident serves as a grave reminder that if the establishment keeps interfering with the delicate environment, incidents like this might soon sink the whole state.
Pro-establishment narrative
Ecology and the economy must go hand in hand. Joshimath is a gateway to prominent pilgrimage sites like Badrinath and Hemkund Sahib, as well as the famous skiing resort Auli. Halting current development projects will adversely affect the locals who depend on tourism for their livelihood. It is essential to explore the hidden opportunities for sustainable mountain development — not criticize the government for nation-building activities. A well-balanced governance system is key to averting natural and man-made disasters in the Himalayas.