- Zannat Chauhan talks about "Lives Lost in the Name of Development"; presenting her views on recent floods in Himachal Pradesh
On 1 September 2025, Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, declared the entire state of Himachal Pradesh as a disaster-hit state. The announcement made by him in the state assembly was alarming and concerning as more than 350 people are dead, dozens are missing, many homes are destroyed, and economic loss has already crossed ₹3000 crore. These are just numbers; they are examples of lives eradicated, families broken, and the ecosystem pushed beyond its limits.
As someone who has grown up in the hills, believing that mountains are a symbol of peace, I cannot help but feel that this tragedy is not entirely natural. Yes, the Himalayas are geologically young, unstable, and prone to landslides, but what has happened in Himachal Pradesh.
This tragedy is largely human-made, and the construction of highways, tunnels, and hydropower projects in fragile loop has magnified the damage. Roads collapse every monsoon, yet more roads are built. What kind of development is this if it washes away lives and infrastructure year after year?
Snowfall observed in September in places like Manali, Lahaul, and Spiti Valley is another disturbing sign. Scientists and climate experts have long warned of erratic weather patterns in the Himalayas. The Supreme Court also, while hearing ecological balance cases, warned that Himachal may ‘vanish into thin air’ if urgent steps are not taken.
When the highest court of the country echoes what mountain communities have been saying for years, why do governments continue to push projects that threaten the ecology in the name of progress?
Another haunting image that was seen was of River Ravi carrying timber logs during the floods in Manali and other parts of Himachal Pradesh. Points to illegal felling and forest exploitation. Himachal is a dev-bhoomi where even the local deities themselves have denied permission for destructive projects.
Residents protested, warning of cultural loss and ecological damage, but their voices remain unheard.
All these disasters are interconnected to deforestation, illegal logging, reckless tourism, and infrastructure pushed into fragile zones that have left the entire region of Northern India, including Jammu & Kashmir, Uttarakhand, and Punjab, vulnerable.
The question we must ask ourselves is simple: What is the meaning of development if it comes at the cost of human lives?
Justice J.B. Pardiwala of the Supreme Court rightly observed that revenue cannot be earned at the cost of the environment and ecology.
Europe too has mountain states with highway tunnels and tourism. Yet the roads lose their slopes hold because construction is planned with respect for nature. In Himachal, development often becomes destruction, bringing with it requiring land, life, and broken highways that cost even more in repairs.
This year’s floods are a painful reminder to everyone that urgent course correction is needed. Development, should be sustainable, minimal, and in harmony with the land. The people of Himachal deserve safety first, not shortsighted projects that bring more grief than gain.
#TKMU Talks is positive mindset, positive society talk-series initiative by Talennt Ka Maha Utsav to empower the generation of today and tomorrow to be socially conscious and socially responsible citizens.
Launched at Cannes Film Festival 2025, the inaugural talks were given in September 2025 during 22.4 Edition of #BNHAF Awards and Festival.
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