Presentation tries to define the issues and roadblocks facing the growth and development of hill settlements in India and suggests strategies to make them rational and supportive of sustainability

1. PROMOTING SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT OF HILL AREAS-
ISSUES AND OPTIONS
AR. J.K. GUPTA
*

3. HILL AREAS - INTRODUCTION
 Hills, areas
 Gift of nature to mankind
 Natural bio-sphere reserves
 Rich in natural resources,
 remained on lower order of development. .
 Current practices made hill areas highly vulnerable to natural and manmade.
 Stockholm Conference on Human Environment in 1972, tried to a create awareness
among nation’s policy planners, about :
 --the deteriorating environmental quality in hill areas
 --its adverse impact on growth and development
 - Need to make them more sustainable

4. HILL AREAS DEVELOPMENT-
ISSUES
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5. HILL AREAS- ISSUES- STATE OF DEVELOPMENT
State of Development
 Problems faced by the hill regions in the country include;
 --indiscriminate felling of trees,
 -- unscientific exploitation of natural resources,
 -- soil erosion,
 -- siltation in down stream areas,
 -- flooding, shifting cultivation,
 -- faulty agricultural practices,
 -- low availability of cropped lands,
 -- fragmented and small landholding,
 --heavy pressure an agricultural land,
 -- least diversified economy,
 -- large extent of uncultivated wasteland,
 -- inadequate irrigation facilities,
 -- scarcity of buildable land,
 -- haphazard, unauthorized, unplanned, substandard constructions,
 linear development along road network and within urban areas,
 -- uneven development of settlement s
 -- deficiency of infrastructures --both physical and social
 -- lack of accessibility.

6. HILL AREAS- ISSUES- INDUSTRIAL GROWTH
 Industrial Growth
 Despite richness in natural resources, industrial development
confined only to few pockets
 leading to wide spatial and economic imbalances.
 industries growth haphazard and unplanned
 Polluting industries creating havoc with the ecology
 Existing pattern of industrial growth/ development done more
damage than good to resources/ environment/ economy.
 Pattern of industrial growth accordingly needs to be critically looked
into.
 Vast potential offered by hill area
 --excellent pollution free climate,
 abundant horticultural ,rare herbal flora and fauna;
 deposits of natural resources etc
 Power
 -- need proper exploitation for improving state economy

7. HILL AREAS- ISSUES-TOURISM
 Tourism.
 Hill states promoting state as tourist destination within/ outside country.
 witnessing enormous influx of tourists
 Tourism encouraged on considerations of economy / employment,
 Its impact on bio-diversity, eco-system, ecology, environment, culture,
growth and development has been found to be highly adverse.
 Uncontrolled tourism done irreparable damage to hill area’s valuable
resources
 tourism related developmentfound to be both haphazard/ sub-standard.
 Carrying capacity has become a non-issue in permitting development
 Current practices made state highly vulnerable to natural/ manmade
disasters
 Regulating uncontrolled tourism / related development should form integral
part of agenda for rational development of hill areas.


8. HILL AREAS- ISSUES- URBANIZATION
 Urbanization
 Himachal Pradesh with area of 55673 sq kms ranks 17th in country
 State population of 6.9 million in 2011 Ranks 20th among states
 level of urbanization placed at 10.04 %,
 half of population of the state concentrated in 3 districts (out of 12) namely
Kangra, Mandi and Shimla,
 all 12 districts have annual growth below 1.63%
 High literacy rate of 75.9%,
 Wide variation in density varying from 2 person per sq. km Lahul & Spiti
District to 406 persons in case of Hamirpur district,
 Shimla originally developed for a population of 25,000 in 1819 ha recorded
six fold increase in population - 1.44 lakh people in 2011,
 Projected population of 83.93 lakh in 2021-- with level of urbanization
projected to be 12.48% (2021) and
 -- urban population standing at 10.45 lakhs.
 wide variations in populations settlement pattern and prevailing density
 need for different options / strategies for each part of the state, keeping in
view their problems and potentials

9. HILL AREAS- ISSUES- LAND
 Land
 Most critical for state growth and development
 Limiting factors like
 -- slope,
 soil characteristics,
 flora & fauna,
 vegetation,
 nature of rocks and their structure –
 greatest challenge to rational planning and development framework.
 Land under eco-fragile areas under lot of stress due to
 -- large scale cutting of trees
 - destruction of large reservoirs of flora and fauna
 Due to high degree of land speculation the issues of:
 - land management,
 - land conversion,
 -Land preservation,
 Balance between agricultural and non-agricultural uses
 needs critical look for promoting rational growth and development.


10. HILL AREAS- ISSUES- HERITAGE PRESERVATION
 . Heritage Preservation
 Hill States have inherited:
 large reservoir of valuable manmade/ natural heritage—
 temples, palaces, public buildings,
 public spaces, precincts, building complexes,
 bio-sphere reserves, lakes,
 dense forests, wild life sanctuaries, flora and fauna.
 Number of villages, cities / towns house valuable heritage.
 Majority of heritage lost due to unplanned development/ fire / destruction of
buildings/ unauthorized and inconsistent uses/ Uncontrolled tourism
 Absence of appropriate building controls / development regulations led to
choking of areas around heritage buildings.
 Unplanned , substandard development contributed in destroying the valuable
treasure of the state.
 Dev Bhumi, must eliminate causes which:
 - damage, destroy / undermine the
 -- value, aesthetics and architectural glory
 --of these buildings and natural areas

11. HILL AREAS- ISSUES- ACCESSIBILITY
 Accessibility
Hill Areas face problems of accessibility/preserving vital road network
 Roads in hill areas most vulnerable,
 Roads best destination for:
 -- doing business
 -- living
 constructing shops
 eating joints, dhabas, hotels, restaurants,
 repairs shops, industries and even houses.
 Roads have linear growth / development -- unplanned, substandard and
haphazard in nature making future widening of roads difficult.
 Guidelines providing stringent penalties imposed on the violators.
 Levying charges whenever construction is permitted with setbacks, to:
 -- form a corpus
 -- used for up-gradation of road network in the state.


12. HILL AREAS DEVELOPMENT-
OPTIONS
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13. HILL AREAS- OPTIONS- DEVELOPMENT
 Development without Destruction
 Critical issues for hill areas relate to:
 -- Environment,
 -- Ecology,
 --land, development,
 -- resource management,
 heritage, and culture management
 Development strategies must focus on:
 sound land use practices,
 Using alternate sources of energy,
 Conserving heritage,
 Planned tourism and related activities,
 Rationalizing settlement system,
 Optimum utilization and development of resources etc.
 Approach based on the principle of :
 development without destruction
 design with nature
 preserving , promoting and enhancing fragile eco-system.

14. HILL AREAS- OPTIONS- DEVELOPMENT MODELS
Two successful models of hill area development in world;
 European Model-
 -sound practices of land use planning,
 development of hydro-electric power as a major source of alternate energy
 preventing destruction of forest cover,
 planned and dispersed tourism.
 Japanese model,
 Hill areas been made areas of very low density
 with only 2% population occupying 75% of land
 balance 98% population settled in remaining 25% of land area.
 Hill areas largely been used for :
 --conservation of resources, -forestry,
 - generating hydro-electric power,- promoting tourism
 whereas plain areas used for housing large economic activities including industry, trade,
commerce and housing
 Both models have
 -- relevance, advantages, limitations, importance and contexts and
 --can be adopted with modifications to suite needs of physical / socio-economic conditions
prevailing in the Himachal Pradesh.

15. HILL AREAS- OPTIONS- REGIONAL APPROACH
Regional Approach
 Adopting Regional approach critical for ensuring conservation,
preservation and development without damage to ecology and
environment.
 altitude, slope, existing, vegetation, soil types and average rain fall used
to classify state into areas as:
 -- extremely sensitive, highly sensitive zones
 medium sensitive and low sensitive zones
 --preservation --strategy for areas of highly sensitivity /sensitive zones
 -- concentrating development in medium/ low sensitivity zones.
 -- Ecologically degraded/derelict to be priority area for:
 -- restoration
 --reclamation
 --Redevelopment
 Regional approach would promote integrated development
 --of urban/ rural areas in a mutually supportive manner

16. HILL AREAS- OPTIONS-LAND USE PLANNING
 Rationalising Land Use Planning based on:
 -- holding capacity
 - rational/ optimum use of resources.
 Steep slopes put to intensive afforestation
 Moderate slopes put to a mix of horticulture plants of economic importance.
 Valley / plain/ flat lands put under cultivation crops / human habitation.
 Vast scope of hydel power tapped for:
 generating electricity
 water resources used for irrigation,
 recharging of ground water &
 ensuring growth of vegetation cover in the derelict areas.
 Setting Non-polluting/ hi-tech industries requiring dust free environment and
 minimum land / resources with zero level of pollution
 Industry encouraged in areas of low eco-sensitivity to generate employment/ promote
economic growth / development
 Agro based industries using horticulture and agricultural produce including bio-tech
parks considered priority in the selected growth centres
 Promoting agro-based industries in rural settlements
 Promoting co-operative based approach in villages
 Promoting local art/craft for economy

17. HILL AREAS- OPTIONS- ECO-TOURISM
 Eco-Tourism
 Promoting tourism to be priority on economic agenda of states.
 While developing tourist infrastructure, development to be in perfect
harmony with surrounding environment.
 Tourism supportive policy to involving local communities for economic
development
 Type / scale of tourism permitted to be commensurate with environment /
socio-cultural characteristics of local community
 Tourism planning to be integral part of overall area development strategy
involving integrated land use planning.
 Tourism issues addressed within Eco-Tourism policy / guidelines, evolved
by the Department of Tourism, Government of India

18. HILL AREAS- OPTIONS-HERITAGE PRESERVATION
 HERITAGE PRESERVATION
 Heritage Preservation to be adequately addressed
 States must identity :
 - Existing valuable heritage
 -- Evolve strategies for conservation ,preservation and integration with the
existing and proposed development.
 Development controls/ building bye-laws for these areas should be
sensitively designed
 framework put in place to minimize damage to the heritage buildings /
heritage areas.
 Concept of heritage areas, heritage zones and heritage cities/towns put
in place to protect total environment in heritage rich areas.
 Adequate incentives provided to encourage/involve people in preserving
valuable heritage with measures to discourage destruction of such areas.
 People educated about heritage and its preservation & conservation -- to
make it a:
 -- people oriented / people led movement and
 -- not solely guided by the government and parastatal agencies.

19. HILL AREAS DEVELOPMENT-
DESIGNING SUSTAINABLE BUILDINGS
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20. IMPLICATIONS OF BUILDINGS
•Built environment has significant impact on environment and
consumption of resources
• Buildings account for:
16% of world’s fresh water withdrawal.
25% of wood harvested.
30% of consumption of raw material.
50% of global energy consumption.
35% of world's CO2 emission
40% of Municipal solid waste.
50% of Ozone depleting CFC’s still in use.
30% of the residents having sick building syndrome.
• 70 % of global warming -- outcome of built environment.
•Majority of existing buildings have low concern with energy
conservation.
•Considering existing/ additional 700-900 m sqm of residential/
commercial/Institutional/Industrial area needed annually-energy/
environmental implications can be critical.
Buildings to be designed with utmost care and considerations for
energy, resources and sustainability through:
 Designing green building
Retro fitting of existing buildings

21. ENERGY CONSUMPTION PATTERNS

22. •Green Building is one-
Which has minimum impact on the immediate and global environment so
that its construction and its subsequent operation has minimum adverse
impact on ecology where it is placed.
•A Green building is one whose construction and lifetime operation
assures the most efficient and least disruptive use of land, water, energy
and resources
•Green Buildings create environment with following attributes.
–Reduced energy consumption without sacrificing comfort levels.
–Reduced depletion of natural habitats and biodiversity
–Reduced water pollution with efficient use of water.
–Limited waste generation due to recycling/ reuse.
–Reduced air pollution loads
–Use of Non-Toxic & Recycled Materials
–Effective use of existing Landscape
–Adoption of Cost -effective and environment friendly technologies
–Increased user productivity
DEFINING GREEN BUILDINGS

23. •Green Buildings help in :
•24-50% Saving in energy
•20-40% Saving in water consumption
•33-39% Reduction in carbon emission
•8000-12000 Tons-Reduction of Co2 per million Sq. ft. of building
• 3 MW Saving in connected electric load per million Sqft building
• 70% Reduction in solid waste
•Treating waste water to reduce load on municipal water handling plants
•Enhancing brand image attracting national and international companies
•Better returns due to higher rents
•Benefits to State :
•Reduction of electric demand
•Reduction in solid waste management
•Reduction in water requirement
• Reduction in waste water
• Triple benefits - benefiting people, planet & making profit
BENEFITS OF GREEN BUILDINGS

24. BENEFITS OF GREEN BUILDINGS

26. HILL AREAS- OPTIONS- GREEN BUILDINGS
 .
 Built environment is consumer of large energy
 Reducing energy requirements by using innovative building
designssolutions.
 Designing with nature
 sourcing sun as major source of light and heat for meeting the
energy requirements of buildings besides the bio-mass.
 only southern, eastern and western slopes in hill area permitted to
be used for construction of buildings to maximum use of solar energy
 Construction of buildings on Northern slope not permitted.
 Site planning using best orientation
 . Buildings with minimum footprints to cause minimum disturbance
 Existing trees, flora and fauna must be preserved
 Water sources available must be preserved and conserved to
optimize water resources
 . Walls and roof appropriately used for heat gain and their retention
in the building
 creating solariums, air locking systems and use of double glazed
windows with proper sealing used to bring in sun light and prevent
loss of heat.

27. HILL AREAS- OPTIONS- GREEN BUILDINGS
 .
 Insulation of north wall critical to minimize heat loss in buildings.
 Use solar chimneys ,cavity walls other options for promoting heat
gain /minimizing heat loss
 Using upgraded locally available building materials and building
technologies
 Using low energy light fixtures and water efficient fittings made
mandatory
 Framing appropriate building bye-laws
 Old buildings retrofitted to reduce their energy/water consumption
and make them more sustainable.
 Government buildings to be made highly energy/water efficient
 Accordingly,
 site planning, ,study of marco and micro climatic conditions
 built form , area and volume ratio,
 landscaping, roof typologies,
 orientation, space efficiency, cavity walls, solar chimneys etc.
 would be required to be put in operation.



29. SUN PIPE
Sun Pipes used to lit
basement,
Viswa Syamalam, IGBC Platinum

30. BUILDING ENVELOPE

31. GERMAN PARLIAMENT
.
Designed to use 100% renewable energy. The renewable
energies are passive use of solar power and natural light and
also bio-fuel generators.-- leads to a 94% cut in its carbon
emissions.

32. HILL AREAS– PROMOTING PLANNED DEVELOPMENT
 .
 Promoting Planned Development
 Options available limited for promoting rational development and
protecting, preserving ecology, environment and resources of the hill areas.
 Best option is to go far planned development
 Development to be based on sustainability and optimum use of available
manmade/ natural resources.
 State government to evolve state of art, innovative planning/ designing
framework -- at state, regional and local level for all settlements
 .Capacity building of Architecture and Town Planning Departments to make
Himachal a role model of planned Hill development.
 Synergies between Architecture and Town Planning departments explored
to make human settlements:
 -- beautiful,
 --sustainable,
 --livable
 Productive,
 Efficient and
 providers of assured quality of life. Even to the poorest of poor.


33. HILL AREAS- OPTIONS- DATA BASE AND GIS
 Creating Urban Data Bank and Promoting GIS
 Decision making largely -- adhoc and subjective lacking transparency
 Absence of adequate and accurate data base, makes issue all the more
complex.
 To make the urban development more rational and realistic--latest base plans
for all cities/towns prepared and made available.
 Base plans/existing land use plans supported by appropriate GIS based data
(Geographical Information System)for rational decision making.
 Dedicated data bank to be created for preparing:
 -- detailed/master plans,
 -- speedy clearance of various projects,
 . Accurate and reliable base plan will;
 - considerably reduce the time for preparation of master plans,
 accurate planning and development of services/infrastructure
 avoiding duplication and overlapping
 facilitating integration / coordination of development activities undertaken by
various state/local level agencies besides
 prioritization/phasing of such activities


34. Thanks