Himachal: Vanishing villages, fear of disasters, increased migration

Himachal Pradesh: Himachal Pradesh’s once-thriving high-altitude villages are now falling silent. Following recent cloudbursts, flash floods, and devastating landslides, a massive exodus has erupted from the upper reaches of Kangra, Mandi, and surrounding districts, posing new challenges for the state government. What were once ancestral homes now lie abandoned, their doors closed and courtyards overgrown—a stark reminder of fear and uncertainty. Over the past three months, natural disasters have wreaked havoc in rural Himachal, damaging roads, collapsing bridges, and disrupting water supply schemes. Many villages, especially in the Chota Bhangal and Chuhar Valleys, have been declared unsafe due to the continued collapse of hillsides caused by soil erosion. Meanwhile, the government’s failure to restore infrastructure has deepened residents’ sense of insecurity. The younger generation, working in cities within and outside the state, is reluctant to return to their ancestral villages, worried that the frequent disasters during the monsoon will increase. Families who once lived in higher altitudes are now permanently relocating to safer locations like Palampur, Baijnath, Joginder Nagar, Gopalpur, Bhawarna, and Paprola.
Experts point to deeper causes for this migration. Environmentalists say, “Environmental degradation, uncontrolled mining, over-tourism, and indiscriminate felling of trees have further deteriorated the already fragile ecosystem.” The young Himalayan range, still geologically unstable, is unable to withstand the continued exploitation of natural resources. In areas like Seraj and Dharampur, massive landslides and flash floods have not only destroyed livelihoods but also transformed the entire landscape. The human cost is enormous. For villagers, migration means not only abandoning their land, but also leaving behind their cultural roots, traditions, and centuries-old mountain life. Yet, without basic amenities like reliable healthcare, schools, electricity, and road connectivity, living here has become unbearable. To stop this silent exodus, experts urge the government to formulate a comprehensive plan. This includes rebuilding a robust road network, ensuring uninterrupted medical and educational facilities, and strengthening emergency healthcare at the panchayat level. Livelihood opportunities must be created at the local level so that families can survive without leaving their villages. Above all, the government must take decisive action against illegal mining, indiscriminate deforestation, and unregulated construction. If immediate action is not taken, Himachal’s picturesque villages risk becoming ghost towns—victims of both nature’s wrath and human neglect.