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New Delhi: On 20 April, 2026, the CP Kukreja Foundation for Design Excellence released a whitepaper on the future of the Himalayas, calling for a systemic shift in Himalayan development, moving from fragmented, project-led interventions to integrated basin-scale planning. Arunachal Pradesh Pema Khandu advocated for a ‘middle-path’ approach that balances economic growth with ecological preservation. The Indian Himalayan Region (IHR) has experienced a 15 to 20 per cent increase in extreme rainfall events since the 1950s. Currently, India accounts for 12.6 per cent of global landslides, with over 80 per cent of the IHR classified as vulnerable.

The report identifies a ‘structural misalignment’ where development models designed for the plains are improperly applied to the geologically young and unstable Himalayas. Technical data indicates that 70 per cent of Himalayan roads are built using hill-cutting methods without adequate slope stabilisation. Furthermore, while 60 per cent of landslides are rainfall-triggered, experts noted that most failures are hydrological rather than structural, often caused by disrupted natural drainage. Ecological stress is further evidenced by the fact that 50 per cent of traditional springs in regions such as Uttarakhand have dried up or become seasonal.

Multi-Hazard Susceptibility Zoning

The White paper recommends implementing Multi-Hazard Susceptibility Zoning (MHSZ) to classify terrain based on risk and carrying capacity. It suggests a modal shift from road-heavy expansion towards integrated rail networks and compact settlement patterns. These reforms are presented as a global necessity, as the Himalayan ecosystem supports water and climate security for 1.3 to 1.5 billion people downstream. It is high time that the infrastructure in the Himalayas is aligned with the terrain and scientific data.

Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, Pema Khandu said, “The Himalayas are at a critical juncture today, where the need for development must be carefully balanced with ecological sensitivity. While local communities seek growth and opportunity, it is essential that we adopt a calibrated, middle-path approach that safeguards this fragile ecosystem. The White Paper, ‘The Future of the Himalayas: Rethinking Development and Resilience,’ launched by the CP Kukreja Foundation for Design Excellence, is a timely step in this direction. Much like complex challenges require a coordinated, multi-pronged strategy, development in the Himalayan region must be approached through an integrated framework—combining scientific assessment, responsible planning, sustainable infrastructure, community participation, and strong policy alignment. It is important that institutions like NITI Aayog, along with policymakers, developers, and global stakeholders, work together in a mission-mode approach to embed long-term resilience and contextual understanding into every development decision.”