Anurag Kumar
In the aftermath of the floods, as Himachal Pradesh struggles to rebuild the devastated areas, environmental groups have urged the state government to reconsider its policies that are proving harmful to the environment and to prioritize sustainable development in order to preserve the Himalayas.
In a tragic turn of events, Himachal Pradesh has recently experienced a monsoon season catastrophe without precedent. Continuous rainfall pummeled the state, causing flash flooding, mudslides, and widespread destruction. The disaster caused substantial loss of life and property.
During the months of July and August, the persistent rainfall caused 168 landslides and 72 flash flooding across the state, severely impacting districts such as Kullu, Mandi, Shimla, Sirmaur, Solan, and Chamba. The loss of human life has been appalling, with 481 people killed, 40 people still missing, and 505 people injured.
As, many as 21,129 animals perished, and 6,030 cow sheds were obliterated. There has been widespread destruction of residential and public structures, with 1,186 pucca houses, 1,745 kutcha houses, and 419 commercial buildings in the basement affected. An additional 12,264 homes sustained partial damage, displacing a substantial portion of the population.
The environmental group Himalayan Niti Abhiyaan, led by Kulbushan Upmanyu and based in Chamba, submitted to governor Shiv Pratap Shukla an eight-page report containing suggestions and recommendations to reduce future natural disaster-related losses.
The training of micro-level scientists for the precise delineation of flood-prone areas and the implementation of stringent regulations for infrastructure development within these zones is one of the most important recommendations. In addition to emphasizing the significance of safe disposal of debris from construction projects in progress, the report calls for increased monitoring and scientific investigation of debris discovered in villages.
In addition, the report emphasizes the need to reevaluate land use policies and prioritize geological sensitivity when choosing construction sites. Upmanyu stated that input from geologists should be considered in large infrastructure projects, roads, and four-lane highways in order to reduce the risk of landslides and other geological hazards.
The experts believe that the Beas Valley floods were not solely caused by excessive rainfall; the floating load, including debris from road and tunnel construction, which blocked riverbanks and mid-water played a significant role. This detritus uprooted trees and redirected the river towards urban areas and four-lane highways, thereby exacerbating the catastrophe.
Commercial construction projects have emerged as a major cause of deforestation, imperiling biodiversity and aggravating the ongoing climate crisis. These initiatives have accelerated the rate of deforestation by increasing the demand for water resources. Destruction threats, such as landslides and forest fires, loom simultaneously over both the environment and human settlements.
The report urges a departure from the current trajectory of infrastructure development and commercial initiatives. Instead, it calls for the revival of mixed forestry, which not only protects against natural disasters but also provides food, fuel, medicine, and timber to local communities.
Unchecked urbanization is an additional existential threat, as unplanned growth without adequate drainage infrastructure creates the conditions for landslides and building collapses. The controversial “2041 Shimla Development Plan” is set to double Shimla’s population by 2041, despite being canceled by the NGT in 2018. The report suggests that political pressures played a role in its construction and urges its withdrawal.
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Recognizing the urgency of the situation, the report emphasizes the significance of involving local civil society, non-governmental organizations, and self-governing institutions in decision-making processes. The report suggests that their perspectives, based on in-depth knowledge of their regions, should be fundamental in shaping policies and implementation strategies.
Tourism, a significant contributor to the region’s gross domestic product, has also been affected by the crisis. Infrastructure failures and overpopulation have afflicted the industry. Unrestrained development, excessive automobile traffic, and environmental mismanagement have precipitated a crisis. The report urges a transition to “responsible tourism,” emphasizing the importance of local empowerment and regulation to limit real estate speculation in the name of tourism.
