SHIMLA, Sept 21 — The Himachal Pradesh government is considering strict legislation to regulate construction in the hill state after a series of natural calamities, including cloudbursts, heavy rains and landslides, caused widespread destruction during the recent monsoon.
Officials said the new framework is expected to impose controls on structural engineering standards, land weight capacity and drainage systems. A complete ban on building along riverbanks and hill slopes is also under consideration. “The state cannot afford to ignore the ecological risks any longer,” a senior government source noted.
The move comes days after the Supreme Court issued a stern warning to the state, flagging the worsening environmental crisis and urging immediate measures to safeguard lives and property.
The government is reviewing permissions granted in 2023 for high-rise buildings, which experts say may not be viable on fragile hill terrain. Amendments to the state’s Town and Country Planning (TCP) laws are also being weighed, with an approach that balances ecological preservation with public safety.
Himachal Pradesh falls in seismic Zone V, leaving it vulnerable to earthquakes, cloudbursts and landslides. During the last monsoon season, the state recorded extensive damage from floods, excessive reservoir discharges and slope collapses. Officials said unscientific hill cutting, deforestation, illegal mining and unchecked use of natural resources have deepened the crisis.
Experts argue that disaster prevention will require strict enforcement of environmental safeguards and promotion of a lifestyle that respects natural limits. “Respecting nature and planning responsibly is no longer optional. It is about saving lives,” an environmentalist in Shimla said.
The government is also considering studies to identify the causes of frequent cloudbursts in the region, which remain poorly understood.
