The dust has barely settled over the Malin landslide tragedy, and already the denizens of Trimbakeshwar, which falls in the same line of Western Ghats of Sahyadri range as Bhimashanker, seem to be the next ones at risk, considering their location. For the residents, however, the place is more than just a home.
The small town, famous for the Trimbakeshwar (Shiva) temple, is situated at the foothills of Bramhagiri mountain, one of the stalwarts of the Sahyadri range. The mountain has religious, mythological, geographical and environmental significance. The town of Trimbakeshwar exists because of the mountain which beholds it. The river Godavari originates from the Bramhagiri.
"People of Trimbakeshwar are sentimental about Bramhagiri... we consider the mountain to be another form of Lord Shiva," said Dr Styapriya Shukla, a trustee of Trimbakeshwar temple who has called for the mountain's protection.
Just like Igatpurti, the Trimbakeshwar region receives high rainfall during monsoon. This forms the catchment area for the dams in the district. The Bramhagiri stands against strong winds and holds the clouds. A vast ecosystem thrives on the mountain.
"Bramhagiri is important for the survival of Nashik district and the western region. The southward regions of Marathwada also depend on Godavari. It is our prime duty to protect it," said former deputy president of Trimbakeshwar municipal council Lalita Shinde, who is now fighting a legal battle for the existence of river Godavari in Trimbakeshwar.
A few months back, the residents saw big bulldozers and machines cutting through the Bramhagiri at its foot, preparing road and excavating mud to form a table land. They protested, approached the tehsildar and the district collector and got the work stopped. Similarly, Shinde had objected to work on the mountain by some organisation. "I had approached the tehsildar who stopped the work for some days, but later, it restarted. The reason cited was it was being done on private property. The result was seen during heavy rains as a portion of the wall fell down," she said.
Architect Nilesh Kataria, who has studied Trimbakeshwar and Bramhagiri in depth and presented a thesis on it, said the Sahyadri range is mostly rock mountains with thin mud layers. They experience heavy rainfall and most of the rain water is not absorbed. "When these mountains are tampered with, they start absorbing water and expand in due time, loosening the soil. This increases the danger of landslides," he explained.
"What we need to avert a Malin-like situation in Trimbakeshwar is political and public will. Sensitivity towards nature and a sensible approach is lacking. At no cost can we alter the topography of a region and endanger it."
Worried residents, meanwhile, are wondering what will it take to stop people from destroying their homes and their beloved mountain.
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