Section 118 Sparks Storm — NGOs, Experts Slam Move, Sukhu Govt on the Mat
Shimla, October 26
The proposed amendment to Section 118 of the Himachal Pradesh Tenancy and Land Reforms Act has kicked up a political dust storm. The moment news leaked from the corridors of power, the Sukhu government found itself on the defensive.
NGOs, civil society groups, and experts have come out swinging — warning that any dilution of Section 118 would be nothing short of a betrayal of Dr. Y.S. Parmar’s legacy.
Section 118 is not just another law. It’s the lifeline of Himachaliat — a shield that protects small landowners, mountain ecology, and the state’s cultural identity.
Now, with the government reportedly planning to relax norms for land use and project timelines, the red lights are flashing.
“This is not reform, it’s the start of erosion,” said an activist. “Section 118 was made to protect, not to please investors.”
Public anger is swelling. From Shimla’s Ridge to Palampur’s chowks, voices are rising — don’t touch 118.
“The law preserves our identity, our land, our environment,” said Kameshwar Dhaulta a layer. “It must stay intact.”
Manoj Kumar, a hydropower expert, minced no words. “Neither BJP nor Congress is clean. Look at the stretch between Kiarighat and Kumarhati — a jungle of private universities.
Yet our graduates can’t get jobs worth ₹20,000. And poor locals who encroach a few marlas for survival are painted as criminals.”
Experts smell more than reform. “There’s a hidden agenda,” said Dr Rajan Kotru, a renowned scientist, IMI expert from Kangra in his take.
“The government is broke. Selling land looks like the quick fix. But locals must not fall into this trap.”
Environmentalists warn that once the door opens, the flood will follow.
“You can’t play with mountain ecology for short-term gains,” said President IMI, Ramesh Negi a retired Chief Secretary ArunachalPradesh government, who hails from Himachal.
“It’s an open invitation for outsiders to control our land, water, and forests.”
"The proposed dilution of Section 118 should be viewed very seriously — it would endanger the rights of innocent Himachalis. If the government doesn’t listen, an agitation like Nepal will awaken it.
"The sale of Himachal for the vested interests of politicians must not be allowed,” said Surendra Shandil, former Senior Scientist, State Pollution Control Board, who resides in Shimla.
There are others however, who say the changes proposed could only be procedural.
“It could be about extending time limits for industrial projects beyond five years,” said Dr M.P. Sood, a former Bureaucrat, who heads Sustainable Mountain Development Forum, Himachal Pradesh Chapter of IMI. “Investors can seek extensions by paying a fee.”
But the public isn’t convinced. “Why the hush-hush?” asked a retired official. “Why not release the draft and seek public opinion before tinkering with a law that defines Himachal’s soul?”, commented Negi. Section 118 Row: ‘Govt Playing with Fire, Not Just Land’ — Locals Warn of Builder Raj, Water Crisis
The voices from the hills have grown louder, calling it nothing short of treachery against the people and resources of the state.
“On one hand, the government is seeking relaxation in forest norms to allot plots to disaster-hit families — because there’s no non-forest land available — and on the other, it wants to open doors for outsiders to buy land. This is a betrayal of Himachal and its people,” said IMI Himachal Chapter members.
Locals fear that once the safeguards under Section 118 are diluted, Himachal will go the Kasauli way — where locals have already been reduced to mere spectators in their own land.
“Kasauli is now under the control of outsiders. If people don’t speak up now, other towns will meet the same fate,” warned another resident, urging people to “rise and resist.”R.C. Sharma Blasts RERA Over Palampur Towers: “Our Hills Are Being Buried Under Greed”
Environmentalists and concerned citizens have accused the authorities — including RERA — of turning a blind eye to blatant violations of building and environmental norms.
“RERA has permitted seven-storey towers in Palampur, openly defying all environmental safeguards,” said R.C. Sharma, a noted local activist.
“Even nullahs have been covered, choking the natural drainage. Buildings are now standing right over the khud that flows through Palampur town.
In case of heavy rains or disaster, the consequences could be catastrophic.”
Sharma warned that even the new Civil Hospital might not be safe. “I hope I’m proven wrong,” he said grimly, “but the way unrestricted construction is happening at the base of the hill, the hospital itself could face problems.”
He questioned the role of local authorities either: “This is how our towns are being endangered under the nose of those meant to protect them — and it reeks of tacit connivance. Unless citizens speak up now, things will not change.
Adding to the chorus, environmentalist Ramesh Negi sounded the alarm on a different but linked front — the reckless exploitation of water resources by builders.
“Builders are usurping local water meant for farmers. Soon, groundwater will be gone. It’s an ecological and social disaster in the making,” he said.
As debate rages, the proposed amendment in Section 118 has already set the ball rolling in the corridors of power — putting the Sukhu government on the mat.
The hashtags like #LandForLocals #SaveHimachal #Section118 #WaterCrisis have gone viral on social media.
The silence from Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has only deepened the unease.
In the absence of clarity, rumours are doing the rounds — and resentment is snowballing fast.
As one activist summed it up: “Touching Section 118 is like playing with fire. It burns trust. And once that burns, no government survives the heat.”
#SaveSection118 #HandsOffHimachal #ProtectHimachaliLand #SukhuUnderScanner
