Green cover shrinking in Palampur

Ravinder Sood

Palampur, January 8

Nestled in the foothills of the Dhauladhar range, the small town of Palampur is an ideal retreat for individuals seeking an escape from city life. However, like the other more famous hill stations of the state, Palampur, too, is in the danger of facing the consequences of indiscriminate human activity.

Deforestation is a major problem that the town faces. Deodar trees are slowly disappearing without any systematic plantation work. Moreover, uncontrolled mining and extraction of sand, stone and gravel pose danger to roads and housing colonies.

“Currently, the population of Palampur is around 60,000 and is expected to touch 70,000 in the next five years. Indiscriminate human activity has taken us to the edge of environmental chaos,” says an environmentalist who has been fighting for the cause.

“The banks of the Neugal, Bhiral and Mol streams have widened due to rampant mining. People are encroaching upon forestland. Erosion in cultivated lands and even landslides have become a common feature. The poor implementation of the polythene ban has virtually made matters worse as today all water channels and forest lands are infested with polythene. The state government must come out with a policy to protect the environment, not only in Palampur but in others towns too,” say KB Ralhan and Subhash Sharma, local environmentalists who have been working for environmental protection in Palampur for the last 20 years.

“Scientists, engineers and civil servants who have settled in this town must share and contribute their expertise for the sustainable development of Palampur through the public-private partnership for social and environmental change,” says Ashish Butail, Palampur MLA, who expressed concern over the environmental degradation in the area. “We have the capacity to educate the people, assist the state government and work with other such organisations for achieving our objectives,” he says.

The town does not face massive pollution as there are no major industries. However, the local populace is responsible for water pollution in the absence of any check from the state authorities.