Shimla’s Former Deputy Mayor Calls for Rethinking Development Amid Monsoon Devastation

Shimla, August 21: Former Deputy Mayor of Shimla Municipal Corporation, Tikender Panwar, has initiated a 24-hour hunger strike at the historic Ridge Maidan to raise awareness about the destruction caused during the monsoon season. He believes that the devastation is a consequence of human-made disruptions in the mountains and nature. Panwar asserts that it’s now imperative to reconsider the model of development being pursued in the Himalayas, considering the aftermath of this disaster.

According to Tikender Panwar, this destruction is a result of human actions. The fate of the Himalayas hinges on whether we choose a path of development that values the environment. It’s crucial to assess what Himachal Pradesh and similar regions truly need and what they don’t. Infrastructural developments, like the Foreigner’s Hub, were initiated to attract people, but today, hardly any tourists or visitors can be seen.

He suggested that legal action should be taken against NHAI and construction companies for the irregularities in construction. To assess the damages, the establishment of a commission headed by a retired Supreme Court judge should be considered. Scientists predict that the frequency of heavy rainfall, which used to occur once every hundred years, has increased to an annual event. The widespread installation of hydroelectric power projects is being discussed everywhere. It’s time to reconsider the development path being pursued.