Shimla, Oct 28,
Over the past four years, climate-induced disasters have claimed more than 1,700 lives in Himachal Pradesh, inflicting an estimated Rs 46,000 crore in losses. Forest fires, too, are on the rise, tripling in just two years — from 856 incidents in 2022–23 to 2,580 in 2024–25 — signaling the deepening impact of climate change on the fragile Himalayan ecosystem.
These findings form part of the Himachal Pradesh Human Development Report 2025, jointly prepared by the Government of Himachal Pradesh and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Titled “Building the Future in a Climate-Impacted World,” the report paints a stark picture of a state at the frontline of a climate crisis that now threatens to erode its hard-won development gains.
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The data reveal that the average temperature in Himachal Pradesh has risen by 1.5°C since 1901 and is projected to rise between 2°C and 3°C by mid-century. The 2025 monsoon alone saw 46 per cent excess rainfall, leading to devastating landslides, flash floods, and cloudburst-triggered disasters that claimed 366 lives and caused damage exceeding Rs 4,000 crore. Glacial retreat, the creation of new glacial lakes, and the rising risk of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) have compounded the crisis.
The report notes that two-thirds of traditional springs — lifelines for rural water supply — have dried up, forcing migration from some hill villages. Increasing temperatures and erratic rainfall are also driving shifts in agriculture and horticulture. Apple cultivation, once the backbone of Himachal’s rural economy, is moving to higher altitudes, while mid-hill farmers are turning to pomegranates and vegetables. Between 2001 and 2023, more than 10,900 hectares of forest were diverted for development, disrupting hydrological systems and increasing erosion risks.
Despite these challenges, Himachal continues to perform strongly on human development indicators. Literacy stands at 93.3 per cent, life expectancy at 72.6 years, and multidimensional poverty has declined from 7.6 per cent in 2015–16 to 4.9 per cent in 2019–21. Per capita income grew by 9.6 per cent in 2024–25, outpacing the national average. However, over 30 per cent of children under five remain stunted or underweight, and rural health centres face acute staff shortages, revealing gaps in equitable development.
The report observes that while agriculture employs 54 per cent of Himachal’s workforce, it contributes just 14 per cent to the state’s Gross Value Added (GVA). Industry and services now account for 40 and 45 per cent of the GVA respectively. But as manufacturing, construction, and tourism expand, they too are increasingly exposed to climate vulnerabilities. Tourism contributes 7.8 per cent to the Gross State Domestic Product and supports about 14 per cent of jobs, yet declining snowfall, unregulated construction, and extreme weather are threatening its sustainability.
In 2025, monsoon-induced damage to public and private property alone was valued at over Rs 4,800 crore. The report warns that without stronger enforcement of building codes, waste management norms, and carrying capacity limits in tourist zones, the twin engines of tourism and construction could accelerate ecological degradation.
On the health front, climate-linked diseases such as dengue, diarrhoea, and typhoid are on the rise, with the state’s 5.5 lakh children under five and 10 lakh elderly most at risk. Remote districts like Lahaul-Spiti and Kinnaur remain underserved, with limited health infrastructure and unreliable power supply. Only one-third of households in the state are covered by health insurance, leaving families exposed to climate-related health shocks.
The report calls for scaling up climate finance and institutional coordination to meet adaptation and mitigation needs. It recommends establishing a dedicated State Climate Finance Cell, introducing green and resilience bonds, and integrating climate priorities into budgeting. It also advocates for a State Climate Law and improved local data systems to strengthen governance.
Despite its vulnerabilities, the report highlights that Himachal Pradesh’s forests and rivers — which sustain 200 million people downstream — give it a pivotal role in India’s climate strategy. The state already contributes 2.5 per cent to India’s total carbon sink through its forest cover.
By embedding resilience, sustainability, and inclusivity into its growth model, the report concludes, Himachal Pradesh can continue to build human development in a climate-impacted world — protecting both its people and its mountain ecology for future generations.
