Mussoorie Struggles with Unchecked Construction and Environmental Degradation
The picturesque hill station of Mussoorie, nestled in the Garhwal Himalayas, is facing a crisis due to unchecked construction and environmental degradation. The town's fragile ecology is under severe strain, with a surge in tourist footfall and construction activities threatening its very existence.
History of Environmental Concerns in Mussoorie
- In 2023, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) formed a committee to study the environmental concerns in Mussoorie, recommending avoidance of construction activities expansion.
- The committee's 281-page report listed recommendations and remedial measures to prevent environmental damage to the hill station.
- However, many of these recommendations appear to exist only on paper, with construction activities continuing unabated.
Construction Boom in Mussoorie
Mussoorie currently has 5,000-6,000 buildings, including an estimated 400-500 hotels, with the exact number being even higher than the registered figures.
The growth in population and tourist influx has driven a construction boom in the hill town, with nearly 3,000 buildings having come up after the Mussoorie Dehradun Development Authority (MDDA) was constituted in 1984.
Experts Warn of Geographical Limitations
- A 1998 study on slope categories in Mussoorie found that nearly 79% of the area falls in slopes steeper than 30 degrees, making them unsuitable for heavy construction.
- Only about 13 sq km has slope below 30 degrees, and of this, 11 sq km is already under built-up area, leaving barely 2 sq km available for relatively safe construction.
Environmental Concerns and Recommendations
- Dr Vikram Gupta, a scientist at the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, Dehradun, said studies conducted for Mussoorie indicate that the geological conditions in town are extremely fragile.
- MC Ghildiyal, a retired IFS officer, and secretary of the Supreme Court Monitoring Committee (SCMC), said a detailed assessment of Mussoorie's growth indicates significant changes over the past three decades in terms of population, land use, and infrastructure demands.
- Geography Professor JS Rawat said Mussoorie lies in a complex geological setting near the Main Boundary Thrust, comprising weak, fractured limestone and dolomitic rocks.
Infrastructure Challenges
Mussoorie is struggling to accommodate the rising tourist numbers, with inadequate parking facilities leading to chaos on the roads.
Senior sub-inspector (SSI) SK Bhati of Mussoorie police station said they were struggling with a shortage of staff at the police station, which aggravates the problem.
Government Response
Cabinet minister and local MLA Ganesh Joshi acknowledged that Mussoorie is under increasing strain, adding that new construction in the town has been banned in compliance with directions from the NGT.
Uttarakhand government special secretary Parag Madhukar Dhakate said the affidavit hasn't been filed yet.
Conclusion
The situation in Mussoorie is a stark reminder of the need for sustainable and responsible development. The town's fragile ecology and infrastructure challenges demand urgent attention and action to prevent a major tragedy.