Deforestation a bane of Palampur

Ravinder Sood

Palampur, August 12

Palampur, like other hill stations, is facing man-environment conflict.

Deforestation is a major problem. Deodar trees are slowly disappearing. Moreover, uncontrolled mining and extraction of sand, stone and gravel threaten important roads and housing colonies.

“The town’s population is 55,000. However, there is no collection and disposal mechanism of municipal organic waste, leading to an unhygienic scenario,” say environmentalists.

The banks of the Neugal, Bhiral and Mol streams have widened due to rampant mining. People are encroaching forestland. Erosion in cultivated lands and even landslides have become a common feature.

Vipin Parmar, Health Minister, who hails from Palampur, says, “The government is doing its best for the protection of environment. A law banning the use of polythene bags has already in force. No one will be spared or given any concessions,” he insists. However, the poor implementation of law on polythene ban has made the matter worse as today all water channels and forestlands are affected with polythene.

“We have the capacity to educate the people, assist the state government, and work with other such organisations for achieving our objectives,” he says.