CHR Feature Desk| New Delhi
As tensions simmer between India and China along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the high Himalayas, a dire environmental crisis looms over the region, exacerbating concerns among local communities and environmental activists. The standoff, marked by military deployments and infrastructure development, has sparked protests and heightened environmental risks in the sensitive Himalayan ecosystem.
In the remote region of Ladakh, climate activist Sonam Wangchuk recently embarked on a 21-day hunger strike, braving harsh conditions to draw attention to the alleged encroachment of grazing land by both Indian corporates and Chinese forces along the India-China border. His call for a peaceful border march to assess the situation firsthand has garnered significant support from the local populace.
However, amidst growing anticipation for the march scheduled on April 7, the Ladakh administration has imposed Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) in Leh, effectively prohibiting large assemblies and reducing internet speeds to 2G. This move aims to thwart the planned demonstration and maintain public order amid escalating tensions.
Wangchuk’s plea resonates deeply with Ladakhis who feel the dual pressure of losing land to Indian corporations and witnessing encroachments from the Chinese side.
Ladakh, formerly a part of the state of Jammu and Kashmir, underwent significant administrative changes on August 5, 2019, when the Narendra Modi-led BJP government in India restructured the region into federally governed Union Territories, namely Ladakh and Jammu Kashmir.
This bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir into Union Territories complicated the geopolitical dynamics, leading to escalated military activities along the disputed border. Subsequently, China bolstered its military infrastructure near the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in response to India’s territorial reorganization, asserting Ladakh as a disputed territory and contesting the decision as a breach of its territorial sovereignty.
Following the harsh winter, tensions between India and China escalated in May 2020, with the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) infiltrating strategic locations along the 3800 km LAC in Ladakh and establishing new border posts. The clash between the two armies in the Galwan Valley on the night of June 15 and 16 resulted in casualties on both sides, further exacerbating the already volatile situation.
Prior to the 2020 conflict, there was minimal concern regarding the unarmed Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) manning the border posts along the LAC. However, the escalation prompted India to deploy nearly 70,000 troops and heavy artillery to fortify the border, while China conducted live-fire exercises near the border, violating a 1996 agreement against using firearms or explosives in the area.
Both India and China intensified the construction of strategic infrastructure in the fragile Himalayan region, raising concerns about the heightened risk of natural disasters. Recent incidents, including landslides and floods, underscore the dangers of indiscriminate development in the ecologically sensitive area, with implications for vital water sources and downstream populations.
The construction frenzy involves the development of new roads, bridges, and tunnels to enhance logistical and operational capabilities for troops. However, these projects also amplify the hazards of natural disasters in the region, as demonstrated by the incident in Uttarakhand where 41 workers were trapped in a tunnel for over three weeks after a landslide. The region has witnessed a spate of natural calamities, including landslides, avalanches, sinking land, and floods in residential areas, underscoring the urgent need for sustainable development practices in the Himalayas.
Andreas Kaab, a professor of physical geography and hydrology at Oslo University, who co-authored a significant report on the cause of a devastating avalanche in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district in 2021, said, “basically you are bringing yourself closer and closer to the hazards.”
The National Disaster Management Authority of India discovered that the administration in Chamoli had failed to consider climate and infrastructure-related risks when devising strategies to mitigate future disasters.
Pakistan has raised concerns about the trans-boundary environmental threats posed by India’s strategic tunnels at Zojila and Z-Morh, crucial for military operations and access to Ladakh.
The discharge of 17,345 million tonnes of material into the Jhelum River, originating from Indian Kashmir and flowing into Pakistan, directly jeopardizes Pakistan’s Mangla Dam. This influx disrupts water flow and contaminates the river, causing it to turn red due to pollutants.
As per a study highlighted in the Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences, every kilometer of the National Highway in Uttarakhand experienced landslides during September and October 2022, resulting in partial or complete blockages of the road.
The ecological vulnerability of the region is exacerbated by global warming, which is causing glaciers and permafrost to melt at an accelerated rate. This phenomenon exposes the Himalayan population to significant risks, including impending natural disasters and potential threats to crucial water sources and downstream communities.
Experts caution that the risk of natural disasters is equally pronounced on the Chinese side of the Himalayas. The thawing of permafrost poses a substantial threat to the region’s infrastructure, as highlighted in a study published in the Communications Earth and Environment journal in October. It revealed that approximately 9,400 kilometers of roads, 580 kilometers of railways, over 2,600 kilometers of power lines, and numerous buildings in the Qinghai Tibet Plateau are situated in permafrost areas.
The study predicts that by 2050, a significant portion of infrastructure in high-risk areas may be vulnerable to permafrost degradation, with approximately 38.14% of roads, 38.76% of railways, 39.41% of power lines, and 20.94% of buildings facing potential threats.
The military standoff along the India-China border serves as a stark reminder of the delicate balance between geopolitical tensions, environmental sustainability, and the well-being of Himalayan communities.
In a study released by the American Geophysical Union in 2020, it was revealed that out of the 23 significant glacial lakes in India, a staggering 17 were located in Sikkim. These lakes attain critical status when they become full due to glacial melting, posing a risk of potential bursting.
Historically, China and India have collaborated closely during international climate negotiations, aligning their interests and frequently opposing Western perspectives. However, experts argue that this alliance falls short when confronting the complex challenges of climate change and environmental degradation specifically in the Himalayan region.
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