Rain disaster a man-made tragedy, FIR should be registered against NHAI: Himalaya Niti Abhiyan
Himalaya Niti Abhiyan demanded to register a first information report against the National Highway Authority of India a memorandum was submitted to Himachal Pradesh Governor here on Friday.
Himalaya Niti Abhiyan Sansthan Coordinator Guman Singh stated in the memorandum that the rain and natural disasters would not be confined to past devastation but a model of development is being adopted the state would wreak further destruction.
He requested the Governor that the Centre should declare the recent loss a national disaster.
He said that the monsoon rain has rendered huge devastation in Himachal Pradesh as 481 people have died recently rain.
“This loss of life and property is being termed as a natural disaster but there is a need to ensure a sustainable development model by making the role of government policies and people accountable.
Attributing faulty, unscientific, and greedy outlook mainly responsible for rain loss and damage caused to infrastructure HNA alleged that illegal dumping was done in the river and rivulets during the construction of four lanes by the NHAI.
The volume of destruction confined along the highways and roads owing to leveling and wrong cutting of hills slopes has affected the life and livelihood of hundreds of people due to this manmade negligence.
The movement also blames the cross river mega dams built on the major rivers, criminal neglect, and uncontrolled release of water from the Pandoh and Pong Dam caused inundation in the Kangra district.
The pro-environment NGO also demanded action against such a power project which didn’t issue a warning and quickly released bulk of dam water in the breach of National Disaster and Dam Safety norms.
HNA members also decided to meet the Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister soon to submit a 55-point suggestion paper.
“Instead of playing the game of politics, BJP and Congress need to work to bring the state back on track,” he said.
Many households became homeless as they lost their shelter over them in the disaster should be provided piece land by amending the Forest Conservation Act.
Before allowing new construction government should make mandatory Geological Survey in the state and invite people’s opinions on this.
A uniform development model should not be adopted in Himachal. The government should learn from previous mistakes.
NGO demanded that the government should revisit the idea of construction and sustainability of four lanes in the mountains or double lanes.
It must emphasize construction Work and the growth model of development in the Himalayas. HNA also demanded the withdrawal of Shimla Development Plan 2041 to save the ecologically fragile and vulnerable sinking and landslide-prone area of Shimla and other places in the hill state.
