HP & U'khand again, lessons anyone?

Last week, the Supreme Court observed that if the deteriorating ecological balance in Himachal Pradesh goes unchecked, the state could 'vanish into thin air'. The same holds true for Uttarakhand, as the destruction caused by flash floods in Harshil Valley shows. The devastation underscores - yet again - that India's approach to development for the Himalayan states is backfiring. Instead of persisting with this destructive path, the approach must be rooted in science and ecological realities of the region.

Yes, it will require making hard choices. But looking at the scale of destruction, the choice is clear. Steep slopes, young geo-formations and diverse microclimates make the region vulnerable to climate-induced changes. The region's average temperature is rising faster than the global average, resulting in more cloudbursts, excessive rainfall and flash floods. Deforestation and unchecked rise in human and vehicular traffic only add to this destructive cocktail.

Bringing science into policymaking means moving away from business-as-usual approaches that divorce development from ecological well-being. The region's ecological specificities are well known. National Mission for Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem is part of 2008 National Action Plan on Climate Change. Research institutions and Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) must be integrated into the policymaking process. Creating an interface between science, policy, people and business will provide the foundation for both economically and ecologically sustainable development. Failing to do so will leave Himalayan states trapped in a vicious cycle of extreme weather events, and loss of lives and assets, eliciting more sighs and handwringing.