On thin ice: Disaster risks and dams in the Himalayas

The Himalayan landscape is the locus of numerous dams and hydropower projects. Hydropower, considered a clean and sustainable energy source, accounts for about 14% of India’s power generation capacity as of 2023.

However, experts say that dams and hydro projects significantly impact the sensitive ecology of the Himalayan mountains, and activists argue that rampant construction and deforestation due to hydro projects increase disaster risks.

The land subsidence in Joshimath, the glacial lake outburst floods, and intense rainfall and floods in the Indian Himalayan Region raise concerns about the carrying capacity of the mountains and the need for caution while developing infrastructure and engineering solutions.

Subscribe to ‪@MongabayIndia‬

#dam #uttarakhand #himalayas
_______

For more news and inspiration from nature's frontline in India, visit Mongabay India https://india.mongabay.com/
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mongabayind...
Twitter   / mongabayindia  
Facebook   / mongabayindia  

Subscribe to Mongabay India's weekly newsletter here: https://bit.ly/2Naws1A