Call for ecologically secure development grows louder

Calls for a safer and more ecologically secure Himachal Pradesh grew stronger as representatives of multiple civil organisations from across the state convened for a two-day meeting at Literacy Bhawan, Mandi, which concluded on Sunday. With the Himalayan region witnessing an alarming increase in disasters — cloudbursts, landslides, flash floods and environmental degradation — the gathering sought to build a collective strategy to address the impacts of climate change and unscientific development policies.

Participants highlighted that the frequency and scale of recent disaster events point not only to climatic shifts but also to governance failures. Chandrakanta of Jagori Grameen asserted that these disasters are “not natural”, but the direct result of an imbalanced development model adopted by successive governments. She said disregard for ecological limits has intensified risks for vulnerable mountain communities.

Echoing similar concerns, Guman Singh of the Himalaya Niti Abhiyan warned that mega-infrastructure projects such as the Bilaspur-Leh rail line and the Leh transmission line threaten the Beas valley and the ecological fabric of Himachal Pradesh. He called for an immediate halt to what he described as a “violent model of development”, stressing that safeguarding mountains and their communities must be the government’s foremost priority.

Emphasising the deep connection between ecology and community well-being, Prakash Bhandari of the Himdhara Environment Collective said protecting forests, grasslands, rivers and streams is essential for safeguarding homes, farms and private property. “Disasters begin where community lands are disturbed,” he said, urging policymakers to recognise the importance of these shared resources.

Senior activist Shyam Singh from Mandi highlighted the need for democratic decision-making, insisting that no project should be approved without the informed consent of local residents and panchayats. According to him, sidelining communities leads to unsafe development and heightened risk.

A critical challenge discussed was the rehabilitation of disaster-affected families. Ashok Somal of the Loktantrik Rashtranirman Abhiyan pointed out that with 67% of Himachal under forest land, thousands displaced since 2023 continue to await permanent rehabilitation. He argued that without amendments to central forest laws, large-scale resettlement will remain unattainable.

Nek Ram Sharma, a Padma Shri awardee, underscored the urgent need to strengthen and adapt Himachal’s mountain economy, particularly agriculture and horticulture, in the face of climate change. He urged that community-led management of natural resources is the only sustainable way forward.

The programme was jointly organised by several organisations, including Ekal Nari Shakti Sangathan, Himalaya Niti Abhiyan, Himdhara Environment Group, People for Himalaya Campaign, Save Lahaul-Spiti and others, representing a united voice for environmental justice and sustainable development in Himachal Pradesh.