Shimla: How the ‘Queen of Hills’ Lost Its Title.

I was born and brought up in this small, charming town. Nestled in the majestic Himalayas, Shimla, the beloved "Queen of Hills" was the summer capital of British India. The name 'Shimla' comes from the Hindu goddess Shyamala Devi, an incarnation of Kali. Pre 18^th century, the area around Shimla was largely covered in dense forests. The Jakhu Temple, dedicated to the Hindu god Hanuman, was the main sign of civilization.

British officials, charmed by the cool climate and scenic beauty, began visiting the region, building summer homes. Scottish civil servant Charles Pratt Kennedy constructed one of the earliest houses, called 'Kennedy House'.

In 1864, Shimla was officially declared the summer capital of British India. It became a hub for the British Raj's administration to escape the oppressive heat of the plains.

After independence in 1947, Shimla became the capital of East Punjab until Himachal Pradesh gained full statehood in 1971 and Shimla became the capital.

Shimla still retains a captivating mix of colonial elegance and breathtaking mountain scenery, but unplanned, unauthorized construction, deforestation and rampant corruption have destroyed this once beautiful & serene hill station.

The Shimla I spent my youth in and the Shimla I visit today, are two very different places. The once empty hills are completely covered with ugly concrete structures, the forests in the outskirts have been cleared to make way for more housing, and restricted roads have opened up to traffic, making walking a hazard and turning streets into parking lots.

Climate change/Global warming are making their presence felt in the form of unprecedented high temperatures in summer, lack of snow in winter and unpredictable monsoons.

Last summer, Himachal experienced landslides never before witnessed during the monsoon season. Eroded hills could not handle the torrential rains and came sliding down, destroying hundreds of homes, claiming lives, causing massive destruction to infrastructure and shutting down highways all over the state.

I saw the devastation first hand when I drove from Chandigarh to Shimla to visit my parents last August. The four lane highway that’s being constructed to ease traffic congestion, was blocked in several places due to landslides and uprooted trees, and in Shimla, many homes had crumbled due to erosion.

The sad state of my hometown breaks my heart every time I go back, and I ask the locals if they are doing anything to stop this deterioration. I’m told the NGT ( National Green Tribunal) has taken steps to limit construction and protect green areas in Shimla, but enforcement remains a challenge. There's growing activism against unregulated development, with residents demanding a more sustainable approach.

Shimla's future depends on striking a balance between development and environmental protection.

This includes:

Stricter Regulations: Enforcing and updating building regulations, especially in vulnerable areas. Focus on sustainable construction practices.

Reforestation: Massive efforts to replant trees and restore forest cover.

Sustainable Tourism: Promoting responsible tourism that doesn't put additional strain on resources.

Public Awareness: Raising awareness about the environmental consequences of over-construction and deforestation.

Things can change if policy makers take immediate action, but knowing how bureaucracy works in India, I wouldn’t hold my breath.  

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