Why Himalayan towns need a different kind of development

Sub: Geo

Sec: Indian physical geo

Context:

The Indian Himalayan Range (IHR), which includes 11 States and two Union Territories, experienced a decadal urban growth rate of over 40% from 2011 to 2021. However, Himalayan towns require a distinct approach to urbanisation.

What is happening in IHR towns?

Himalayan towns, including State capitals like Srinagar, Guwahati, Shillong, and Shimla, struggle with civic issues, particularly in sanitation, waste management, and water supply.
Planning institutions often adopt models from the plains, which are ill-suited for the unique challenges of these regions, and face a severe shortage of human resources, with up to 75% of positions unfilled.
Cities are expanding into peripheral areas, encroaching on village commons, open spaces, forest land, and watersheds, as seen in Srinagar, where significant land use changes have occurred between 2000 and 2020.
Water bodies are shrinking, and untreated liquid waste pollutes the remaining water sources.

Why is this happening?

The IHR is under intense pressure from urbanisation, development, high-intensity tourism, and unsustainable infrastructure, exacerbated by climatic variations such as changing precipitation patterns and rising temperatures.
This has led to water scarcity, deforestation, land degradation, biodiversity loss, and increased pollution, threatening the socio-ecological fabric of the region.
Tourism, with an anticipated average annual growth rate of 7.9% from 2013 to 2023, often results in the replacement of eco-friendly infrastructure with inappropriate and unsightly constructions, harming biodiversity and ecosystem services.

What needs to be done?

Urban planning in IHR cities should be based on comprehensive mapping of geological and hydrological vulnerabilities, involving local communities and following a bottom-up approach.
The current consultant-driven planning processes should be replaced with climate-resilient urban designs tailored to the region’s unique needs.
Given that IHR cities cannot generate sufficient capital for infrastructure, the Finance Commission should include a chapter on urban financing specifically for the IHR, and intergovernmental transfers should be increased from 0.5% to 1% of GDP.
Himalayan towns must prioritize sustainability, focusing on eco-centric planning and public participation to ensure a resilient urban future.

Source: TH