Mountains in peril: Himachal pays price for reckless development

Himachal Pradesh has once again borne the brunt of nature’s fury this year, with heavy rains, flash floods and landslides wreaking havoc across the state. So far, 90 persons have lost their lives in different districts, adding to the mounting toll of devastation. The state was still recovering from 2023 catastrophic disasters that claimed nearly 200 lives, and yet, 2025 has brought more destruction.

Experts widely believe that unchecked ecological degradation is a major contributor to these repeated calamities. Geologists, environmentalists and civil society voices have consistently warned against reckless development practices in the fragile Himalayan terrain. Despite this, successive governments have prioritised infrastructure over sustainability — often ignoring scientific advice and local concerns.

The construction of highways, hydroelectric projects and commercial buildings has destabilised slopes, resulting in frequent landslides. Mountains are crumbling as forests are cleared to make way for four-lane highways and massive power projects. Thousands of trees have been felled with little regard for the long-term environmental consequences. Though NGOs, panchayats and environmental activists have raised strong objections, their voices have often gone unheard.

Himachal Pradesh falls within seismic zone 5, the highest risk category, yet development continues without proper geological assessments. The Indian and Arabian tectonic plates constantly exert pressure on the Indian landmass, increasing the threat of major earthquakes. Experts warn that ill-planned construction only magnifies these risks.

Hydropower projects, often seen as green energy solutions, have ironically intensified the severity of natural disasters in the region. Bodies like the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Ropar, the National Green Tribunal (NGT), and even the Himachal High Court have repeatedly urged caution. Yet, the state government has continued granting environmental and forest clearances for roads, dams, and even large hotels—sometimes in Shimla’s core areas, where construction had been previously restricted.

Shockingly, the government even failed to file a review petition when the Supreme Court opened these sensitive Shimla zones for construction—missing a crucial chance to safeguard the region’s ecological integrity.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), in its fifth and sixth reports, had specifically warned that Himalayan states like Himachal, Uttarakhand, and the Northeast would face heightened vulnerability due to global warming. Those warnings are proving prophetic.

The Geological Survey of India has identified over 17,000 landslide-prone zones in Himachal, spanning districts like Sirmaur, Lahaul-Spiti, Mandi, Kinnaur, Kullu, Kangra, Shimla and Chamba.

It’s now imperative for the state government to halt all major projects unless vetted by geologists, environmental experts and local stakeholders. Rather than carving out four-lane highways through sensitive terrain, the focus should shift to maintaining and upgrading existing roads — preserving the natural charm and safety of Himachal’s hills.