Green cover under imminent threat of urbanisation in Palampur

The rapid urbanisation of Palampur and its surrounding areas is threatening the town’s green cover, marring the scenic beauty of the once-lush tea town of Himachal Pradesh. The unchecked rise of concrete structures has caused extensive deforestation, with the Municipal Corporation, Forest Department, and other environmental agencies appearing indifferent to the situation.

Advertisement

Reckless cutting and loping of trees have been observed, especially in areas where new housing colonies are being developed. Among the most affected are the deodar trees, a signature of Palampur’s charm, planted by the British over 175 years ago. Over the past decade, more than 200 deodar trees have been either axed, uprooted or left to dry out in key areas, including the PWD Rest House, the MC office, Rotary Bhavan, the old bus stand and the SDM office compound. Despite the alarming rate of decline, no investigations have been conducted to determine the reasons behind their sudden collapse.

Adding to the problem is the lack of reforestation efforts. While Van Mahotsava is celebrated annually with much fanfare and tree plantation drives involving VVIPs, the saplings often fail to survive due to negligence. “The population of Palampur, currently around 60,000, is projected to reach 70,000 in the next five years. Indiscriminate human activity has brought us to the brink of environmental chaos,” says local environmentalist Kulbhushan Ralhan, who has been vocal about the issue.

Jatinder Katoch, a retired Engineer-in-Chief and a former state government official, expressed concern over the environmental degradation in the area. “Scientists, engineers, senior politicians and civil servants who have settled in this town must contribute their expertise towards the sustainable development of Palampur. Through public-private partnerships, we can foster social and environmental change,” he says. Katoch also highlighted the importance of educating the public and working collaboratively with the state government to achieve these objectives.

Nestled in the foothills of the Dhauladhar range, Palampur has long been a tranquil retreat for those seeking an escape from urban chaos. However, much like other hill stations in Himachal Pradesh, the town is now on the brink of severe environmental degradation due to unregulated human activity. Immediate action is needed to preserve its green cover and restore its natural beauty before it is lost forever.