Understanding green secrets of Jubbal valley
JUBBAL: ON this 30th day of June, I am sharing this video of my beloved Jubbal Valley, looking as green and beautiful as ever.
Every time I see these lush orchards and forests, I feel grateful to nature and to Maa Shikhar Kali for blessing our valley.
This year, 2026, has witnessed one of the highest frequencies of hailstorms across Himachal Pradesh.
Till June 26, hailstorm incidents had broken many previous records in several apple-growing regions. Yet, Jubbal Valley has largely remained protected. That makes me reflect on what could be the reasons behind it.
Personally, I have a deep faith that the blessings of Maa Shikhar Kali, whose sacred abode is in the Teali forests near Kupper Top, along with the divine presence around Tumbru, Giri Ganga and our Mahasu Devtas, continue to protect this valley. Every village here has its own Mahasu Devta temple, and people sincerely maintain annual rituals, traditions and respect for nature.
One unique feature of Jubbal is that nearly 80 per cent of the area is under apple cultivation, yet anti-hail nets are rarely seen. Unlike many other apple belts, growers here have traditionally trusted nature and divine blessings. This is not because we ignore risks, but because this has been our way for generations.
At the same time, I also believe there could be a scientific explanation. In my understanding, Jubbal appears to lie in a local rain-shadow pocket. The high ridges of Kupper and Tumbru, both around 10,000 feet, may influence local wind patterns and atmospheric pressure.
Perhaps these mountains act in harmony, diverting or weakening hail-forming clouds towards neighbouring valleys like Nawar and Rohru. Occasionally, small hail pellets do arrive from the Uttarakhand or Chanshal side, but they are usually much less damaging.
I know this is my personal observation developed over decades as an apple grower. Meteorologists may have different scientific explanations, and I fully respect that weather is governed by complex atmospheric processes. My faith and my observations simply coexist.
Today, when many famous apple belts like Kotgarh-Thanedhar, Baghi, Ratnari, Kalbog, Kiari, Mahasu, Chathlila, Nawar and Rohru are increasingly depending on anti-hail nets because of repeated hailstorms, Jubbal Valley still stands out in its natural green beauty.
For me, the lesson is simple. When people respect nature, preserve forests, maintain their sacred traditions and avoid unnecessary disturbance to the environment, nature often responds with kindness.
Whether it is divine grace, favourable geography, or a combination of both, I remain thankful every day to live in this beautiful valley.
