A Community Stands Up for Himachal’s Future: Report on the HGVS Environment Dialogue

In the wake of a devastating monsoon and a stark warning from the Supreme Court about the state’s future, the people of Himachal Pradesh are demanding change.

Himachal Gyan Vigyan Samiti (HGVS) brought together over 50 plus concerned citizens, retired experts, and community leaders in Shimla for a crucial dialogue. The topic was urgent: how to protect our home from the escalating crises of disasters, development, and climate change.

The Backdrop: A State in Crisis

This year’s monsoon has been one of the most brutal in living memory. The numbers tell a grim story: over 320 lives lost, economic damages exceeding ₹3,000 crore, and hundreds of roads, homes, and water supplies destroyed. But behind the numbers is a deeper trend:

· Landslides have skyrocketed from 16 in 2020 to 93 in 2025.
· This year alone, the state witnessed 45 cloudbursts.

This isn’t just bad luck; it’s the result of climate change colliding with reckless development practices like unchecked construction, river dumping, and deforestation.

A Gathering of Wisdom

The dialogue was enriched by the experience of over 50 participants from every corner of society—retired engineers and forest officers, active educators, researchers, lawyers, and community organizers. They shared a common goal: to use their collective wisdom to chart a safer, more sustainable path for Himachal.

Key Insights and Calls to Action

The conversation was frank and the recommendations were clear. Here’s what emerged:

1. We’ve Been Here Before—And Haven’t Learned :
   In 1997,a cloudburst in Chirgaon led to a set of five smart recommendations: map risk zones, ban construction in sensitive areas, control mining and grazing, and involve local communities. 28 years later, most remain ignored. The recent disasters in Dhrali, Samej, and Thunag are a tragic repeat of history. We must finally implement these long-overdue measures.
2. We Need Science, Not Just Concrete :
   Our current approach to building roads and hydro projects is making things worse.Participants highlighted:

· Unsafe dumping of debris into rivers and slopes.
· Poor drainage and vertical road cutting that trigger landslides.
· A misguided focus on large highways instead of well-maintained local roads.

The solution? Infrastructure plans must respect the fragile Himalayan geology, using proper environmental assessments and local knowledge.

3. Our Policies Are Failing on the Ground :
   Good policies exist,but they often fail in practice. The dialogue called for:

· Himalayan-specific policies, not just copy-pasted national rules.
· Real community involvement in Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs).
· Ending bureaucratic blame games and creating a dedicated state disaster fund.
· Better coordination between all government departments.

4. We Must Bridge the Knowledge Gap:
   We are flying blind in some ways.There are:

· No reliable systems to forecast deadly cloudbursts.
· Not enough research on mountain-specific rainfall and vulnerabilities.
· Mismatched land records that confuse disaster management.

We urgently need to invest in local research and data to understand the risks we face.

5. Our Land and Farming Need to Heal:
   Sustainable environmental practices are our first line of defense:

· Recycle construction waste instead of dumping it (e.g., into bricks).
· Protect fertile soil for agriculture, don’t pave it over.
· Regulate open grazing and promote inter-cropping and broadleaf trees to hold soil and water.
· Reduce pesticides to improve the land’s natural health.

6. People Power is Essential:
   No plan will work without an informed and empowered public.We need:

· Grassroots education on climate risks in local languages.
· Communities to confidently demand accountability from authorities.
· Everyone to embrace the idea of “thinking globally, but acting locally.”

A Unified Call to Action

The dialogue ended with a powerful consensus: piecemeal fixes are not enough. We need a fundamental shift in how we develop our state.

HGVS calls for:

· Ecological Development: Projects must work with nature, not against it.
· Corporate Accountability: Large companies must be held responsible for the damage they cause and invest in restoration.
· People-Centered Planning: Every project plan (DPR) must be grounded in local truth, with mandatory community consultation.
· Speaking Truth to Power: We must frame the argument in economic terms, showing policymakers that investing in sustainability now is cheaper than paying for disasters later.

What’s Next?

This was just the beginning. To turn these ideas into action, a follow-up workshops and discussions are being organised with experts and citizens. The goal is to widen the circle to include more government officials and experts to start building a concrete plan for Himachal’s survival and prosperity.

The message from Shimla is clear: The time for talk is over. The time for accountable, equitable, and ecologically wise action is now.