Urbanisation is a challenge for state: Report

Bhanu P Lohumi

Tribune News Service

Shimla, February 16

Urbanisation, which will be an inevitable part of growth for Himachal in the coming years, will be a major challenge. Unless the urban growth is well planned, chances of gains of development for urban residents are bleak, says a recent World Bank report.

The report “Social inclusion and sustainable development in Himachal Pradesh”, says Himachal was least urbanised of Indian states. It says cities and towns offer greater economic opportunity and better educational prospects, but social and human development outcomes currently appear to be worse in urban areas.

Referring to the growth of migrant population in the urban areas, the report says urban areas are also home to migrants from different parts of the country and neighbouring countries, including Nepal, but there is no comprehensive data of migrants and small surveys indicate that migrants are likely to have poor outcome.

As urbanisation has environmental costs, the report stressed the need for striking a balance between needs of growth and social and environmental sustainability. Economic transformation and changes in population will also pose a major challenge for the state. “In spite of positive attitude of people towards economic development, their support for future development will be conditional to which the social and environmental assets are protected,” the report by World Bank expert Maitreyi Bordia Das says.

Emphasising that change brings huge transformation in expectations, aspirations and ambitions of citizens, the report has cautioned that “expectations and aspirations are double-edged swords where people seize opportunities and make better lives but when expectations do not match with realty, it can lead to frustration.

The people Himachal have high aspirations for their state, but they are anxious about the effect that rapid development will have on their culture and values and fear that this may lead to loss of tradition and values.

“Himachal is well positioned to build on its previous success and continue moving forward, but the future policies will need to provide rapid and effective response to expanding numbers of youth and elderly and fulfilling the basic needs of an increasing urbanised and unequal population, without leaving a large carbon footprint for generations to come,” the report says.

The report is significant as it raises a red flag over the state government’s plan to allow multi-storeyed structures in the fragile hills as it will take a heavy toll on environment and mar the social and human development.