Joshimath of Uttarakhand is on the verge of extinction. The condition here is so bad that now people here have to be evicted from their homes. The Tapobhoomi Jyartimath of Aadi Guru Shankaracharya is also coming under the threat of landslides. If it continues like this, gradually this city will lose its cultural and historical existence. The existence of Joshimath will be heard only in stories. When the pilgrims going to visit Badrinath go to Joshimath to see Lord Narasimha, they are told about this prophecy. According to this prediction, Badrinath Dham will become extinct and Lord Badrivishal will be seen in Bhavishya Badri, 25 km from Joshimath. Seeing the subsidence of land in Joshimath and the drains of water coming out from under the ground, people are now linking it with that prophecy.
Some people are also attributing scientific reasons behind this. A prediction was made in the year 1976 regarding these threats to Joshimath. In 1976, a report was given by the committee headed by the then Gadwal Commissioner NC Mishra, in which along with mentioning the danger on Joshimath, the role of the people in saving it was also mentioned. After this, in the report of the year 2021 also was mentioned.
ACP Bisht and Piyush Rautela have said in their research that there are many reasons behind this loss in Joshimath. The presence of Joshimath on the Central Himalayas in the Main Central Thrust area is believed to be the biggest reason for this. According to MPS Bisht, director of the Uttarakhand Space Application Center, most of the villages in Uttarakhand are situated at an altitude of 1900 to 2500 meters. These villages are also located in the areas between the Indian and Tibetan Plates, which are present in the Main Central Thrust. Small earthquakes here, soil erosion due to water are also believed to be the reason for this danger.
Development is the main cause
Due to haphazard construction work as well as tunnel construction work on the land of Uttarakhand, the general public is facing this disaster. Due to all the activities related to the development of the city, today Joshimath is standing on the verge of destruction.
…then the government system woke up
People have taken to the streets to save Joshimath. When the voice of the people’s movement resounded in Dehradun, only then the government machinery came to its senses. On Thursday, people blocked the National Highway after which the police and administration came out on the streets to pacify them. Local inspection was done by the Chamoli Police Administration. Even today many places are being inspected and people are being shifted to safer places.
Prefabricated buildings being constructed
In view of the situation in Joshimath, the administration has banned the construction work of Helang bypass under BRO, NTPC Tapovan Vishnugad hydropower project and other construction works with immediate effect. Along with this, the administration has also stopped the operation of Joshimath-Auli ropeway till further orders. The administration has instructed the NTPC and HCC companies to construct 2,000 fabricated buildings. Seeing the seriousness of the matter, the Chief Minister has announced to hold a review meeting today itself.
