Palampur, Nov 24: The expansion of urban settlements in Palampur has sparked alarm over widespread loss of trees and fading greenery in the hill town known for its tea estates and scenic appeal. Citizens say construction has increased sharply in recent years, cutting into forest belts once dominated by British-era deodars.
Police, civic officials and environmental agencies have faced criticism for failing to respond decisively to the rapid clearance of trees in Palampur and adjoining pockets. Large parts of the town—home to renowned institutions such as CSK Himachal Pradesh Agriculture University and the CSIR-IHBT research centre—have undergone sweeping transformation, driven by population growth and tourism.
Residents claim that more than 200 deodars have been lost in 10 years across key government sites and civic corridors. These trees, originally planted during the colonial period, are widely regarded as symbols of the town’s natural identity. Locals say felling and pruning is often reported near new housing clusters, but action remains minimal.
Katoch, a former senior state engineer, said the town was at a critical juncture environmentally. “Through public-private partnerships, we can promote social and environmental change,” he said, warning that new construction had begun to outpace replantation. He added that public education was essential to turn the tide.
Once part of the Jalandhar kingdom, Palampur emerged as a plantation hub after tea was introduced here in 1849 by Jameson, the Superintendent of Botanical Gardens. Before the 1905 Kangra earthquake, it was considered the heart of European tea estates, laying the foundation of modern Kangra tea.
Although tree-planting ceremonies are organised annually with VVIP presence, residents say saplings rarely survive due to neglect. They fear Palampur—long a retreat for visitors seeking calm beneath the Dhauladhars—may lose the very landscape that defines it unless preservation strengthens quickly.
