Shimla:
From rising flash floods to collapsing buildings and choking rivers, the frequency and intensity of disasters in Himachal Pradesh are no longer just nature’s fury—they're increasingly man-made.
The triggers? Human greed, flawed development models, and a shocking disregard for safety and environmental norms.
And while the losses pile up—lives, homes, livelihoods—the question looms large: who’s being held responsible?
Despite technological advancements and disaster warnings, lives continue to be lost, and infrastructure crumbles with each monsoon. Experts and citizens alike are demanding answers.
If disasters are self-inflicted, shouldn’t someone be held accountable?
When Negligence Becomes Catastrophe
Globally, the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill and India’s 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy have become grim reminders of what happens when corporations and governments ignore safety for profit.
But Himachal’s own hills are no less telling.
In towns like Shimla, Kullu, and Manali, buildings sprout on riverbanks and fragile slopes in gross violation of building norms.
Cement structures dot riverbeds in valleys like Tirthan, while steep inclines bear the weight of unsafe multi-storey buildings.
The Himalayan state lies in a high seismic zone—yet construction continues with little regard for safety codes.
Our mountains are bleeding. We are digging them relentlessly and then wondering why landslides are increasing.
But how many officials or political leaders are ever held accountable?
Why No One Is Punished
Disaster after disaster unfolds, and yet accountability is rare. Corruption, vote-bank politics, bureaucratic red tape, and political interference shield wrongdoers.
Building plans get sanctioned despite violating every safety norm. When tragedy strikes, the blame game begins—but seldom ends in justice.
Public memory, too, is short. Once the trauma fades, the anger fizzles out.
Our disaster management systems are slow, outdated, and lack urgency. It’s firefighting—never prevention.”
What Needs to Change?
Experts and activists are now calling for urgent, proactive reforms to prevent future disasters:
1. De-urbanise hill towns – Encourage planned migration away from congested city centres.
2. Demolish illegal constructions – Even if sanctioned in the past, unsafe structures must go.
3. Leave breathing space – Open areas between buildings are crucial for emergency access.
4. Halt new road projects – Stop carving roads into fragile hills; the existing network is enough.
5. Decongest commercial hubs – Spread out markets and offices to reduce urban pressure.
6. Use region-specific materials – Adopt modern, eco-friendly technologies suited to Himachal’s topography.
7. Construction moratorium – A 10-year pause on all new private and government projects to reassess development priorities.
8. Massive tree plantation – Ecological restoration must become a top priority.
Time for Accountability
Rebuilding after every disaster is not the answer. Preventing them is. That means holding builders, babus, politicians, and corporations accountable—not just in the media, but legally and financially.
We can’t just keep reacting. We must plan, monitor, and punish violators.
If Himachal Pradesh is to remain the ‘Devbhoomi’ it proudly calls itself, it needs to put sustainability before cement, and responsibility before recklessness.
Want to read more ground reports on environmental issues in the hills? Visit www.himbumail.com
