Rapid urbanisation a threat to Palampur’s green cover

Palampur is home to valiant military heroes like Major Som Nath Sharma, Captain Vikram Batra, Major Sudhir Walia and Captain Saurabh Kalia, all highly decorated Army officers who had laid down their lives for the nation. The place is also known for its natural beauty and myriad interesting attractions that make it a favourite tourist destination.

Palampur is also known as the ‘Tea Capital’ of north India due to sprawling gardens in and around the town. It has also become a major educational hub of Himachal Pradesh as several premier institutions such as CSK Himachal Pradesh Agriculture University, GC Negi College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences and the Council of Indian Institute of Scientific Research (CSIR-IHBT) are located here.

Palampur was once part of the Jalandhar kingdom. The town came into existence when Dr Jameson, Superintendent of Botanical Gardens, introduced tea bushes here in 1849. Before the 1905 Kangra earthquake, Palampur was the focal point of European tea estate owners. Since then Kangra tea has gained global recognition.

However, like other towns of the state, rapid urbanisation in Palampur and its surrounding areas is threatening its green cover, marring the beauty of the tea town. Mushrooming of concrete buildings has led to widespread deforestation but the Palampur Municipal Corporation, Forest Department and other environmental agencies seem to be indifferent towards the alarming situation.

Indiscriminate felling and pruning of trees has been observed in areas where new residential colonies are being developed. Deodars planted by the British 175 years ago are among the most affected trees though they symbolise the charm of Palampur. Over the past decade, more than 200 deodar trees have either been cut down, uprooted or left to dry up in important areas, including the PWD Rest House, MC Office, Rotary Bhawan, old bus stand and the SDM office premises.

The number of deodars has fallen drastically but no investigation has been conducted to find out the reasons behind their sudden disappearance. The lack of reforestation efforts aggravates the situation. Van Mahotsav is celebrated with pomp and show every year and tree plantation drives are carried out in the presence of VVIPs but the saplings often do not survive long due to negligence.

“Palampur has a population of around 60,000, which is projected to grow to 70,000 in the next five years. Indiscriminate human activities have brought us to the brink of environmental chaos,” says retired Engineer-in-Chief and former state government official Jatinder Katoch. He expresses concern over environmental degradation in the area.

He says, “Scientists, engineers, senior politicians and civil servants settled in this city should contribute their expertise to the sustainable development of Palampur. Through public-private partnerships, we can promote social and environmental change.” Katoch also highlights the importance of educating the public and working together with the state government to achieve these objectives. Nestled in the foothills of the Dhauladhars, Palampur has long been a serene retreat for those wishing to escape the urban chaos. Urgent action is needed to preserve its green cover and restore its natural beauty before it is lost forever.