‘These hills are our homes, we must preserve them'

Time of India

4 days ago

Celebs who have a deep connect with Uttarakhand express their anguish over cloudburst and flash floods in Uttarkashi
WHAT HAPPENED
Two cloudbursts, one in Dharali near Harsil and the other in the Sukhi Top area, in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand, occurred on Tuesday, causing widespread destruction.
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The cloudbursts triggered flash floods and mudslides, due to which several houses, shops, hotels and roads were either damaged or swept away by the raging floodwaters.
Praying for safety, strength and healing for all: Sara Ali Khan
Sara Ali Khan, who shot her debut film Kedarnath in Uttarakhand, continues to have a deep connect with the place. She posted a message on social media, "My heart goes out to everyone impacted by the incident in Uttarakhand.
Praying for safety, strength and healing for all."
It's not just about providing help, it's also about offering hope: Amit Sadh
Amit Sadh, who has a home in Mukteshwar, Uttarakhand, says, 'This is a moment to pay respect to those taken before their time and to honour the bravery and resilience of those on the ground — the rescue teams, local heroes, and volunteers working tirelessly in the face of unimaginable challenges.
In such times, it's not just about providing help, it's also about offering hope. It is about standing by one another and helping with humanity.
At this moment, the focus must remain entirely on the people affected — their safety, recovery, and healing. Conversations around larger causes and climate-related concerns are important, yes, but this is not the time. Right now, it's about standing in solidarity, offering support, and doing everything we can to help those who are suffering.'
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We're going so wrong that nature is turning aggressive: Sudhanshu Pandey
Sudhanshu Pandey, who grew up in Nainital, says, 'I have a lot of friends and some family members there. What has happened is disheartening. As humans, we are going so wrong that nature is turning aggressive. I grew up in Nainital, and this kind of calamity really scares me. It is extremely heartbreaking to even think of what the people there must be going through.
We are cutting trees that are essential to the environment.
We need to stop building hotels and houses in the mountains. We have to start reversing the clock and start planting trees; otherwise, this mayhem is not going to stop. People should raise their voice, and the government should do something about this.
We need to live in harmony with the land that sustains us: Jubin Nautiyal
Jubin, who hails from Dehradun, says, 'My heart is heavy.
The mountains have given me everything – my home, family, voice, peace and purpose. To see them in pain breaks something inside me. My prayers are with every family affected by this devastating flash flood. We must preserve nature and play by its rules.
We need to plant more trees, protect our rivers, and live in harmony with the land that sustains us, so that such tragedies don't keep occurring. My heartfelt prayers are with the people of Uttarakhand.'
Development comes at a cost: Chitrashi Rawat
Chak De India actress Chitrashi Rawat, who hails from Pauri Garhwal and has grown up in Dehradun, says, 'Every other year, we hear of cloudbursts. The mountains in Uttarakhand are geologically young, unlike the Western Ghats, so they're more fragile. With changing weather and heavy construction, the damage only worsens. We want Uttarakhand's economy to grow through tourism, but we also want the mountains to be left untouched.
Infrastructure development comes at a cost, and nature isn't easy to negotiate with. These are not just hills, they're our homes. We just hope people come with care, and development happens mindfully.'