New Delhi (Agency): Amid devastating natural disasters in Himachal Pradesh, experts and locals argue that human-induced activities and unsustainable development are the real culprits.
Shimla, a picturesque city in the northern Indian state of Himachal Pradesh, has seen a wave of tragic natural disasters. Torrential rains have caused 376 deaths since the monsoon season began. But local residents and experts believe that it’s not just nature to blame—human activities are the real culprit.
Heavy rains have led to the collapse of buildings and bridges across Himachal Pradesh, particularly in districts like Mandi, Kullu, Shimla, Kangra, and Kinnaur. Experts say that the disasters are mainly due to uncontrolled development in the fragile ecosystem of the Himalayas. Climate change, they argue, is also a “force multiplier,” making the impact of human activities even worse.
Local environmental activists have sounded alarms about the harm to tunnels and hydropower projects, but their concerns are often ignored. Traditional housing structures, according to experts, are much more resilient to earthquakes and landslides than new constructions.
“The ongoing calamity is primarily due to human actions—unplanned land use, farming on steep slopes, overgrazing, and overuse of community forests,” experts note. Tourist footfall has increased, but most destinations lack a proper drainage system. This leads to landslides and other problems, triggered by water percolating into the rocks and decreasing their strength.
A recent public interest litigation (PIL) led the Supreme Court to observe that unplanned development and the influx of tourists are significant concerns. The court may soon establish a panel to study the carrying capacity of mountainous areas and take steps to preserve their ecological balance.
A 2017 report by a committee of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) indicated that Shimla is vulnerable to high-magnitude earthquakes, exceeding six on the Richter scale. Most constructions ignore seismic sensitivity, resulting in buildings that could collapse during significant tremors.
“In disaster management, there’s a saying—nature doesn’t kill, human structures do,” says Parveen Kaswan, an Indian Forest Service officer, responding to a horrifying incident where buildings collapsed due to a landslide in Anni town of Kullu district on August 24.
Before the Assembly elections last year, the government had approved a Shimla Development Plan. It aimed to allow new constructions in already congested areas. But the current Congress government has put the plan on hold until all concerns are addressed. Geologists warn that the massive infrastructures planned could be detrimental to the mountains and escalate ecological risks.
The situation in Shimla and other parts of Himachal Pradesh serves as a warning bell. Experts and locals are urging immediate action to prevent further disasters and calling for sustainable development that respects the region’s fragile ecosystem.
