'Himachal's fragility needs careful planning'

In this edition of the IE Thinc series, panellists discussed the impact of unplanned urbanisation, climate change, water scarcity and disaster management in the fragile Himalayan region, offering potential solutions for sustainable development. The session was moderated by Saurabh Parashar, Assistant Editor

Over the years, natural disasters have hit Himachal Pradesh. The state's capital Shimla witnessed destruction in the last two years. Unplanned urbanization, construction of hotels, homestays, and residential units near and within streams and nullahs, are often blamed for the destruction.

What steps is the government taking to mitigate the impact of disasters?

Rajesh Dharmani: There are many disasters that are beyond human and government control. Districts like Shimla, Kullu, and Kangra in Himachal Pradesh are the most disaster-prone. Our government is preparing a development plan for these districts with a focus on disaster resilience, particularly earthquakes. The plan will define no-construction zones, green zones, developmental zones, and industrial zones.

To minimize the impact of disasters, laws have been enacted. For instance, no structure is allowed within 5 to 7 meters of a nullah or khad and 25 meters from a river. In recent cloudbursts and heavy rains in 2023 and 2024, many structures built near water bodies were washed away. Guidelines need to be strictly followed to prevent such losses.

Another issue is the heavy load of muck that flows into small streams and khads during cloudbursts, causing further damage. We also need disaster-resilient structures, especially for earthquakes. Unfortunately, most private structures are not earthquake-resistant due to poor construction practices. Even in municipal areas, structural planning is often neglected, which is a grave concern.

What steps are being taken to implement these rules apart from imposing penalties? How is the government encouraging people to follow them?