Human beings the most advanced species on this earth. They have an intelligence unparalleled on this planet. We have made many advances in Science and Technology including in the field of Biology. We have created many Genetically Modified (GM) crops developed new species resistant to drought and other extremities and much more. All these are quite an achievement indeed. But, with great power comes greater responsibility. We should utilize the power which we have wrenched from the hands of mother nature with great caution and responsibility.

I am not against GM crops or any other advancements per se. They gave us higher yielding crop varieties which have alleviated the impact of poverty and hunger. Drought resistance varieties for the sustenance of life in and around Deserts.

But, it is this very property, the ability of trees and crops to survive in the environment which they were not meant to be in, that has in a way brought about the wrath of nature and wreaked havoc in Leh, J&K, India on this day the 6th of August, 2010.

What happened in Leh is that it experienced an unprecedented rainfall of such proportions that it left around 60 dead (as of now) and about 200 injured. The reason this came as a surprise to many is that the area is a cold Arid Desert!

Looking at the geography of this place, it is at 3300m MSL (Mean Sea Level), i.e ~10,800 ft, and is surrounded on almost all sides by mountains and is at the bottom of the valley. But, this has been the geography for millenia with no recent drastic changes to its topography. Then what has triggered this uncharacteristic  rebuke from mother nature?

The statistic of importance here is the altitude. Its at a height of 10,800 ft. Any Environmentalist concerned with forests would tell that forests barely exist beyond 10,000 ft. But, the Forest Department has done a commendable (?) job of afforestation in ad around Leh. An example of man’s prowess over the elements.

During my visit to Leh in 2004, I’ve noticed quite a few buildings which were being reconstructed. The accompanying DFO explained that they have collapsed due to the immense weight of the snow accumulated over them. But, aren’t there any houses in areas of Snowfall? There are. But, they have slant roofs. Why aren’t there slant roofs here? Because it never used to snow!

This was in 2004. The Snowfall must have been heeded and measures must have been taken foreseeing the inevitable changes in the climate conditions in the region.

But, why did it start to Snow? and how did the tricle of 2004 become the torrent of 2010? This could be attributed to the Afforestation. As the Forest cover increases it increases the precipitation of water in the atmosphere, thus causing the rain bearing clouds.

Thus, seemingly beneficiary action on our part (Afforestation) has led to Devastation. Everything in this world has its own designated place and purpose. So let’s not have a tiff with mother nature with power we wield and use it cautiosly and responsibly understanding thoroughly its consequences.

Update: 85 killed and 350 injured (17:29 | 06-08-2010)

Update: 166 dead, including 23 foreigners, while around 400 people still missing (11-08-2010)

- K Vignan Tej