Put a stop to this Himalayan blunder

This monsoon, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand witnessed record-breaking rains after two weather systems – a strong western disturbance and the monsoon – clashed. The result was devastating. Overflowing and raging rivers, and massive landslides flattened whatever came their way. While the catastrophic season is an apt reflection of what climate change impacts will do to the Himalayas, man-made reasons – unplanned and runaway construction of houses, hotels, roads and dams, along with unchecked tourism, shift in cropping pattern, and destruction of forests – are equally to blame. But instead of acknowledging these causes, last week, Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu blamed migrant construction workers from Bihar for bad design and construction quality of houses. A day later, Sukhu distanced himself from the comment, but the damage was done.

Targeting migrant workers by a CM is not just politically immature, but it is also dangerous. Migrant workers freely follow the supply and demand of labour across states. Migration benefits both home and recipient states.

Instead of blaming migrant workers, Sukhu – and other chief ministers of Himalayan states – must acknowledge that the present development model is dangerous for the region.

In July, a parliamentary panel report tabled in Rajya Sabha recommended a comprehensive action plan for the Himalayan region. It also raised the issue of rampant construction, called for a check on tourism, and advised that a one-size-fits-all approach to environment clearance for projects should not be followed. Sukhu and others must focus on these pressing issues, and not look for scapegoats. As for untrammelled construction, we know what happens if one unduly eggs on the goose that lays golden eggs.