Dehradun. The rapidly increasing population and rising number of buildings in Uttarakhand’s hill towns have created alarming conditions similar to those seen in Joshimath. Cities like Mussoorie, Nainital, Almora, and Pauri are now under immense pressure and are slowly heading toward the same level of risk. To control this situation, the need for a strong and well-planned policy is becoming urgent.
In recent years, unplanned construction in Joshimath worsened the situation significantly. Illegal multi-storey buildings have added to the severity of the problem. The same pattern of unregulated development is now visible in many other towns across Uttarakhand.
Experts highlight that earlier, traditional mountain houses exerted only 1.5 to 2 tonnes of pressure on the ground. Today, modern RCC structures place nearly 10 tonnes or more weight on fragile hill slopes. This drastic shift has increased geological stress on the mountains.
During heavy rainfall or earthquakes, the soil becomes unstable and loose, leading to landslides and creating conditions similar to land subsidence. If corrective measures are not taken soon, these regions may face severe ecological and structural challenges in the coming years.