Result of climate change, excessive human interference, can Himachal be saved from natural disasters?
These days, almost all districts of Himachal Pradesh are severely affected by natural disasters such as heavy rainfall, cloudbursts, landslides, land subsidence, mudslides, and flash floods. Due to frequent landslides and falling debris, major highways, including the Chandigarh–Manali and Manali–Leh routes, as well as several other roads, have been closed to traffic. Although this devastation is triggered by natural events such as heavy rainfall, cloudbursts, and flash floods, it is not entirely a natural phenomenon. The destruction in Himachal Pradesh is largely the result of climate change and excessive human interference with the state’s fragile environment.
There is no denying that this year, the state has received above-average rainfall, which is linked to climate change. Scientists have long warned governments, based on their research, that the earth’s average temperature is rising rapidly, leading to an increase in the frequency and intensity of natural disasters. The decade from 2014 to 2024 has been recorded as the hottest on record. The past two years (2023 and 2024) have been the hottest years on record, with 17 out of 24 months recording an average global temperature more than 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. To control this temperature rise, greenhouse gas emissions must be reduced significantly by all countries, because every fraction of a degree matters. For instance, a one-degree rise in temperature can lead to a 7 per cent increase in extreme rainfall events, a fivefold surge in heatwaves, a 5 per cent increase in wind speeds during cyclones, and a sharp increase in forest fires. However, in the pursuit of economic growth, successive governments disregarded these scientific warnings. Had timely action been taken on these warnings, the people of Himachal Pradesh might not have suffered so severely from these disasters.
Apart from climate change, the current destruction in Himachal Pradesh is also driven by human activities under the banner of economic development, including the construction of four-lane highways, hydroelectric projects, multi-storey buildings, indiscriminate deforestation, and projects such as cable cars and helipads. Himachal Pradesh has been blessed by nature with immense beauty and an abundance of natural resources. Its young, towering mountains, rich biodiversity, and cool climate attract tourists from across the country. To capitalise on this natural beauty, the state government has focused on promoting tourism by constructing four-lane roads and tunnels. For these roads, and tunnels, mountains were blasted using heavy machinery and explosives, disturbing their natural balance. Consequently, mountain slopes have begun to collapse in many areas. Before any construction starts in mountainous regions, forests are cleared. The absence of trees loosens the soil, increasing erosion. Excessive cutting of mountains combined with soil erosion causes landslides that block roads and, during heavy rainfall, sometimes destroy homes and buildings. In 2023 and again in 2025, several houses in Kullu and Mandi districts were damaged due to landslides.
According to a 2021 report by the Geological Survey of India, 17,120 areas in Himachal Pradesh are prone to landslides. Since the commencement of four-lane highway projects in the state, the number of landslide incidents has increased annually. In 2020, only 16 landslides were reported; this number rose to 100 in 2021 and 117 in 2022. As of August 7 this year (2025), 63 landslides have already occurred, while the monsoon season will continue until the end of September.
Apart from the construction of four-lane roads, hydroelectric projects in Himachal Pradesh are also intensifying the severity of natural disasters. According to a 2019 study by the Himdhara Environment Research and Action Collective, Himachal Pradesh has the fastest pace of hydroelectric development among all the Himalayan states in India. In Kinnaur district alone, 53 projects are planned, including 17 large-scale projects, and 15 projects of varying capacities are already operational. Due to the adverse impacts of these hydroelectric projects, residents of Kinnaur strongly opposed the installation of the Jhangi-Tapovan-Powari hydroelectric project in 2021.
A highly concerning trend is currently evident in the Himalayan states, often under the guise of economic growth. Instead of considering mountains as nature’s gift, these states treat them as mere commodities, exploiting every resource for profit. This approach is contributing to the devastation of mountainous regions. Observing the growing destruction in the hills every year, the Supreme Court, on July 28, 2025, dismissed an appeal filed by M/s Pristine Hotels and Resorts Pvt. Ltd., which sought permission to construct a hotel on Shree Tara Mata Hill, a designated green belt area. While rejecting the appeal, the Supreme Court warned that such constructions could potentially vanish Himachal Pradesh off the map of India. The court also stated that the impacts of climate change are now clearly visible in Himachal Pradesh. The state’s average temperature is rising, snowfall patterns are changing, and both the frequency and intensity of natural disasters are increasing. Furthermore, the rising temperatures are accelerating glacier melt, which, in turn, increases the risk of glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs).
In 2023, Himachal Pradesh experienced massive devastation due to heavy rainfall, primarily because the number of tourists had been steadily increasing following the construction of four-lane highways. To accommodate these tourists and provide them with food, lodging, and other facilities, numerous multi-storey hotels and parking spaces were built even in ecologically sensitive areas. The current Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh himself admitted that it would need Rs. 10,000 crore to recover from this disaster. Shockingly, just two months after the devastation, the state government announced plans to construct heliports.
The Himachal Pradesh government is well aware that the state also falls under a high seismic risk zone. Geologists have repeatedly warned that a major earthquake could strike the Himalayan region at any time. Therefore, before undertaking any development, the state government should consult with environmental experts, geologists, and local communities to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the project's impact. It is crucial to identify river floodplains, landslide-prone areas, and earthquake-sensitive zones, and legally declare them as no-construction zones.
To protect the state’s natural environment, the government should prioritise repairing and upgrading existing roads instead of building four-lane highways. Hotels should only be constructed in accordance with the carrying capacity of specific hilly regions, and the number of tourists should be strictly regulated to ensure sustainable development. The government should also promote public transportation for tourists, rather than allowing excessive use of private cars and helicopters. By encouraging public transport and setting a cap on tourist numbers, the demand for hotels and large parking structures would decrease significantly.
To preserve the natural beauty of the hills, protect the environment, and ensure the safety of life and property, the Himachal Pradesh government can adopt the slogan “Every home in Himachal has a story to tell” (Har Ghar Kuchh Kehta Hai). By doing so, it can not only safeguard the state’s fragile ecology but also increase local income through responsible tourism.
---
*Former Professor, Department of Geography, Punjabi University, Patiala
Comments