-INDRA PRAKASH, IP OWNER
B.TECH(MECHANICAL),CHARTERED ENGINEER
LIFE MEMBER ,SESI
TECHNO-ENVIRONMENTALIST
M-09993006686
EMAIL:IPAGRAHARI@GMAIL.COM
UTTARAKHAND DISASTER- MAN
MADE
 Heavy rainfall and Cloud Bursts have wreaked havoc
on the region because of the fragile nature of the
Himalayan range and poor soil stability in its steep
slopes. But it is man-made factors that have
compounded the scale of the disaster. Unabated
expansion of hydro-power projects and construction of
roads (by use of Dynamite ) to accommodate everincreasing tourism, especially religious tourism, are
also major causes for the unprecedented scale of
devastation.
 "The valleys of the Yamuna, the Ganga and the
Alaknanda witness heavy traffic of tourists. For this,
the government has to construct new roads and widen
the existing ones," says Maharaj Pandit, professor with
the Department of Environmental Sciences in Delhi
University. He says that a study should be conducted to
assess the carrying capacity of the Himalaya and
development should be planned accordingly.
Threat from dams
 The Ganga in the upper reaches has been an engineer’s
playground. The Central Electricity Authority and the
Uttarakhand power department have estimated the
river’s hydroelectric potential at some 9,000 MW and
have planned 70-odd projects on its tributaries. In
building these projects the key tributaries would be
modified—through diversion to tunnels or
reservoirs—to such an extent that 80 per cent of the
Bhagirathi and 65 per cent of the Alaknanda could be
“affected”. As much as 90 per cent of the other smaller
tributaries could be “affected” the same way.
Threat of Dam
 The Hydel Power Report of Uttarakhand published in the year
2008, categorically acclaims that the State has the potential to
harness almost 20,000 MW of electricity through hydel power.
Blinded with such ambitious target, the State Government failed
to notice, either deliberately or otherwise, the very first objective
on the same page, which has been reproduced as: “To harness the
environment friendly Renewable Energy resources and enhance
their contribution to the socioeconomic development of the
State.” Another important objective which the State while
implementing the said project, was oblivious to, is “To enhance
the use of energy sources that assist in mitigating environmental
pollution.” The current policies, as the CAG Report categorically
points out, are aimed at aggravating and not mitigating
environmental pollution, and have been a cause of the floods in
and around the region.
Some of the main concerns
highlighted in the CAG ReportThreat of Dam
 Due to the over ambitious policy of the State Government to create multiple
river channels, and multiple power projects on the same tributary, a serious
endangerment of environment is certainty. With over 42 Projects currently
functioning, and 203 projects in construction and clearance stage, at every 6 – 7
kms stretch, there will be a dam to obstruct the flow of the river.
 All the projects are based on high seismic areas in and around districts
chamoli, rudra prayag, pithoragarh, Almora and despite severe earth quakes in
1720, 1803, 1991, and 1999 the multiplicity of hydro power projects, without
adequate counter seismic measures continue to run rogue thereby causing
serious risk to the lives of the people.
 There is a clear enumeration of Flash Floods which would result in severe
destruction to life and property in and around the low lying areas of the hills.
Table Appended to the Report has further highlighted various instances
wherein such flash floods have occurred previously in the same areas.
 No evidence to suggest that for failure to comply with the conditions of
Environmental Impact Assessment, a penalty was imposed on the builders.
Roads destabilising mountains
 "A new (mountain) range like the Himalaya will remain steady if
not tampered with much. But the huge expansion of roads and
transport is bringing the mountains in Uttarakhand down," says
Pandit. Road, he says, is a major destabilising factor for a
mountain and it is a new phenomenon for the Himalaya.
 Data with the Uttarakhand State Transport Department
confirms this. In 2005-06, 83,000-odd vehicles were registered in
the state. The figure rose to nearly 180,000 in 2012-13. Out of this,
proportion of cars, jeeps and taxis, which are the most preferred
means of transport for tourists landing in the state, increased the
most. In 2005-06, 4,000 such vehicles were registered, which
jumped to 40,000 in 2012-13. It is an established fact that there is
a straight co-relation between tourism increase and higher
incidence of landslides.
Landslides more frequent now
 Our mountains were never so fragile. But these heavy machines plying everyday on the
kutcha roads have weakened it, and now we suffer landslides more often,” says Harish
Rawat, a BSc student in Uttarakhand’s Bhatwari region that suffered a major landslide in
2010.
 Another local resident, Ram Prasad Tomar, a driver by profession in Uttarkashi town,
says it is road cutting that has made the mountains so weak. He says the way mountains
are cut to make roads has rendered the mountains unstable. “Road contractors, who
come from outside, do not understand the mountains. Most of the expressways that are
being constructed now are tangled in legal cases. After cutting of mountains, landslides
continue for up to four years, and contractors go bankrupt clearing the debris,” he says.
 Environment engineer and Ganga crusader, G D Agarwal, says that construction along
the Ganga has certainly cost a lot more if one includes the cost of damage to
environment. People have completely destroyed the ecology of the mountains. “We see
more landslides nowadays because of unplanned development in the hills,” he says. At
the center of the hardest hit area was the temple town of Kedarnath, 11,000 feet above sea
level.
 News reports suggest that at least 10,000 to 12,000 people visit the hilly town every day
during the peak pilgrimage season.
The devastation is the combined
result of man’s folly and nature’s
fury
 Indrajit Bose of the Centre for Science and Environment, a
New Delhi-based environmental think tank, told The
Diplomat, “The devastation is the combined result of man’s
folly and nature’s fury. Because of the way development has
been going on in the state, this disaster was just waiting to
happen. You cannot change the course of the two
important rivers – Bhagirathi and Alaknanda – and expect
nature to accept this tampering.”
 The tragic floods of Uttarakhand are a warning to all hilly
states in India to stop playing with nature in the name of
economic development.
 The solution lies with economic and other development
with Sustainable measures only .
Ways of sustainable Development
 Energy from Solar and Bio Gas /Bio mass
 Increase of off grid Energy systems in rural areas .
 Ban construction of Major and Mini Hydro Dams
 Embrace Micro Hydro Dam.
 Ban Road construction by Dynamite .
 Promotion of Prefabricated , cheap, energy efficient ,
earth quake resistant houses in place of masonry
houses
 Wood houses
Electricity Solution
 Up to January 2008, 1,149 villages were electrified in the last three years,
while the
 The goal is to provide electricity to remaining 1,25,000 un-electrified
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villages (as per 2001 Census) by 2009 through the programme instrument
of Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana. In addition, it will also
provide 23 million households with electricity.
Finances
90% capital subsidy is applicable for overall cost of the projects under
the scheme. The capital subsidy for eligible projects will be through the
Rural Electrification Corporation Limited, which will be the nodal agency.
Electrification of un-electrified Below Poverty Line (BPL) households is
being financed with 100% capital subsidy @ Rs.1500/- per connection in all
rural habitations.
Others will be paying for the connections at prescribed connection
charges and no subsidy will be made available.
Electrification by Solar Energy –Off
grid Solution
 Uttarakhand has vast area in comparison t0
population density and urbanization .
 This gives a great deal for Electricity generation with
Solar Energy specially in rural area where approx
1, 25000 villages are still un -electrified .
 The solution lies here with off grid or even on grid
Solar Panel Power Projects .
 I am associated with one NGO –DPG Sansthan –
who is empanelled as “Rural Solar Energy Acess
Program “recently embarked by MNRE , GOI . Under
the program , these villages may get upto 90% subsidy
Electrification by Solar Bulb- My initiative :
Through waste Plastic Bottle , Distilled
Water and one Chemical Costing only Rs
249/-
Home Made Solar Water Heater by me
with Corrugated Sheets at cost only Rs
11000/-
PORTABLE and FLEXIBLE SOLAR COOKER
A Portable Parabolic Cooker Built from an Umbrella –Rs
2600/-
I would like to relate my experience and describe my solar cooker in order to thank all
of those who have done so previously and have inspired me, and so that anyone else
can learn from my experiences, which have shown that it works: Half a litre of
water began to boil in 20-30 minutes and this was on a windy day.
Bio Gas and Producer Gas as Fuel
and Electricity Source
 Uttarakhand has immense potential for Bio Gas and
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Producer Gas .
Both Gases are eco friendly and also helpful in sanitation
too .
Now a days very developed and efficient Digesters are
available to produce more yield of Bio Gas .
Bio Gas may be used as domestic and commercial fuel .
Bio Gas can also be used to produce Electricity .This is also
suitable for off grid solution .
Producer Gas besides being environment friendly is also
very much viable for industrial application .
Micro Hydro Turbines
 Major and Mini Hydro Turbines have been proved
disastrous to the eco system of Himalayan as discussed
earlier .
 So again Micro Turbines are the solution for electricity
specially for off grid .
 Micro Turbines do not require any sizable excavation
work and may be commissioned in very small streams
and gradients .
 Micro Turbine size varies from 2 KW to 1000 KW .
Housing Solution for Uttarakhand
Pre Fabricated /Wood Houses
suitable for uttarakhand
 Prefabs Homes: Prefabs are composite materials, manufactured by combination
of materials of different properties such as plastics, concrete and
steel. These are specifically designed for longer practical period
of applications or usage.Prefabs Homes are extremely durable,
as well as water proof, termite proof and borer proof. Due to their
longer life of utility and affordable cost, prefabs can be used for
permanent, semi permanent or temporary applications.
Ourprefabs are also used in different commercial applications
also, such as in field of building construction, schools –
health care centers site offices, shops, telephone booths,
police – stations etc.
Applications and Features of Pre
Fab Houses:
 Application:
 Schools
 Residential Units
 Shopping Center
 Telephone Booths
 Toilets & Bathroom
 Police Station
 Features:
Highly Durable
 Water proof
 Termite proof
 Most reasonable
 High Impact Strength
 Earthquake resistant
 Least vulnerable in natural calamities
Benefits of Prefabricated Houses
 Low Cost:
 Direct cost savings due to reduced labor, reduced material and cheaper construction
equipment. Low weight of the product also reduces logistical costs.
 Fast Implementation:
 The simple design, efficient production, easy transportation and quick erection of the
building unit reduces time-lines of projects of all sizes by up to 60%.
 The monolithic structure created by the panel in conjunction with concrete enables it to
withstand earthquakes, hurricanes and high winds.
 Uniform Quality:
 As a standardized factory product, the Quick Build panel brings uniformly high quality
to a construction project of any size.
 Simple Construction:
 The Quick Build system consolidates the masonry, insulation, plastering and utilities
addition steps thus reducing the construction complexity.
Benefits of Prefabricated Houses
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The core material used in Quick Build is EPS which is an excellent thermal insulator. It maintains the
indoor temperature and lowers HVAC costs 50%-70%.
Fireproof:
The Quick Build panel has passed the 120 minute fireproofing test of NCI. It is approved as a
fireproofing material for internal & external construction.
Moisture proof:
The panel is excellent for preventing condensation/absorption on interior walls. The external walls
can use waterproofing mortar for additional protection.
Soundproof:
The panels have superior sound dampening culpability compared to masonry walls and can be further
enhanced if both sides are plaster-boarded.
Lightweight:
It is only 25% of the weight of a regular masonry wall, which alleviates the fixed load of a structure
and facilitates its use in additions/upgrades to existing buildings.
Thermal Insulation:
FAQ on Pre Fabricated Housing
 What is the Quick Build Construction System?
 The Quick Build system uses prefabricated panels consisting of a super-insulated core of
expanded polystyrene sandwiched between two engineered sheets of steel welded mesh
to create a shell for a building. A special mix of concrete is then applied using traditional
methods or a shotcreting machine to create a monolithic structure.
 What applications can Quick Build be used for?
 The Quick Build system and panels can be used for various building applications. It is an
excellent replacement for brick walls, masonry block walls, pre-cast concrete panels, and
even load bearing slab. The Quick Build panels can also be used for floor systems and
ceilings including roof structures.
 What building standards does Quick Build system comply with?
 The Quick Build panel has been tested by IIT-Chennai (Indian Institute of Technology –
Chennai) for the relevant building standards and codes in use today. The Quick Build
panel has passed all the requirements and the test results are listed below in the
Appendix.
 How does the Quick Build Construction System compare to conventional building
systems?
 The Quick Build system has various advantages over the conventional building systems
currently in use. The savings in material, labor, capital and time are substantial while at
the same time providing additional benefits like thermal insulation and waterproofing.
Thank You
Let’s promote green environment healthy
environment If you believe me and are with me then
 contact me:
Indra Prakash,IP Owner,
B.E(Mechanical) , MIE, Chartered Engineer,
SMPV rule Competent Person
Techno- Environmentalist ,Cycle Philospher
Mob - 09993006686
Email - ipagrahari@gmail.com