As time is running out, it is no longer possible to wait even for a day to initiate steps to protect the Himalayan states.
The demand for a ‘Green Bonus’ to compensate for the ecological losses the Himalayan states have suffered over the years, raised by a couple of retired bureaucrats, is justified. For the record, these states contribute generously to nation-building by not only attracting thousands of tourists from all over the world annually, but also helping the country maintain a good quality of life. Furthermore, these states have helped India build a strong agrarian economy, as it will not be an exaggeration to say that the most fertile parts of the country, namely the north Indian plain and the Gangetic plain or the Ganga Brahmaputra basin, are certain to turn into barren land if the ecology of these states is damaged. This is why top priority should be attached to maintaining the balance between development and nature in these states. Otherwise, the future seems bleak, as various natural disasters have claimed more than 1,200 lives apart from causing a financial loss of over INR 18,000 crore during the last three years in Himachal Pradesh. Another Himalayan state, Uttarakhand, has witnessed 18,464 natural disasters which claimed 3,554 lives and caused destruction of property worth crores in the last ten years. Other Himalayan states have also faced similar crises during the last couple of years, as we have failed to take effective steps to avert such calamities.
But as time is running out, it is no longer possible to wait even for a day to initiate steps to protect the Himalayan states. While formulating policies to save these states from natural calamities, policymakers should be cautious, as the requirements of these states are different from those of the mainland. First, they should be aware of the poor financial health of these states, as they can generate only nominal revenue. Secondly, due to the difficult terrain and fragile ecology, it is not possible to set up heavy or medium industries there. Thirdly, despite helping immensely in the agricultural activities of states situated in the plains, the geographical conditions in the Himalayan states are not conducive for farming. The burn and slash method of farming, which was prevalent for years, is now banned as the practice is harmful to ecology. Last, all these factors combined have left very little scope for generating employment, resulting in resentment among the youth.
In such a scenario, the concept of a ‘Green Bonus’ will provide much-needed relief to the Himalayan states. Apart from helping enhance disaster preparedness, the fund will also open more employment avenues for the youth, which in turn will strengthen their economies. So the appeal made by the former bureaucrats should be considered in the right earnest to save the Himalayan states from future danger. Here, it must be remembered that saving these states is a prerequisite for India’s economic progress, as any harm to them will certainly affect the lives of over 400 million people, which will be a big blow to the country’s financial fortune.