Urbanisation pattern of Himachal Pradesh
In 1901, urban population of Himachal Pradesh was merely 77332 persons which accounted for 4.03 percent of the total population of the state. Period 1901-11 marked a negative urban growth of – 23.46 percent.entire colonial period was characterized by very slow urban growth. The process of urbanization speeded up only after the independence; with the Decadal growth of urban population ranges from 32-35 percent between 1971 and 2001. According to 2001 census the urban population of the state is around 9.8% of total population which is least in the country far behind the national average of 27.78%. Slow urban expansion of Himachal Pradesh is largely due to its agricultural economy, inaccessibility, presence of large number of small villages, sparse population distribution, tough terrain, lack of industrialization etc. The history of urbanization shows that Himachal Pradesh has always been a least urbanized state of India.
In 1971 only in Shimla (78.70 percent) the level of urbanization was above 40 percent. Nahan was the only tehsil in 30.01-40 % category. 14 tehsils had urban population below 10 percent of their total population. The state has 20 tehsils that have urbanization level between 0.01-10 percent and remaining 10 tehsils come under 10.01-20 percent urbanization. District Kinnaur and Lahaul Spiti have no urban population. This may be attributed to several geographical factors besides socioeconomic development of the tribal region.
In 1971 there were only 36 towns in Himachal Pradesh which have increased in all subsequent census. The number of towns have been classified, declassified and reclassified during this time period e.g. in 2001 Sarahan town (Sirmour) and Pandoh has been declassified, Dhalli merged with Shimla Municipal Corporation. New inclusions were town of Mant Khas (Kangra) and Baddi (Solan). Due to their large area and population district Kangra have large number of towns. Shimla district also possesses considerable number of towns. In 1971 total population of Shimla town was 55368 followed by Sundernagar, Mandi, Nahan, Chamba, Dharamshala, Solan, Kullu, Bilaspur and Una. Sundernagar registered a very high growth rate of 268.45 percent in 1961-71 and became second largest town of Himachal Pradesh this excessive growth rate was due to migration of large population from outside because of construction of Beas-Satluj Link Project. Sundernagar marked a negative growth in 1991 census because of outmigration of large number of people because of the completion of the Project Solan town also registered an impressive growth rate of 65.70 percent.
Challenges of urbanization in himachal pradesh
Urbanisation, which will be an inevitable part of growth for Himachal in the approaching years, will be a major trial. Unless proper initial planning is done, probabilities of retrieving benefits of development for urban residents are austere. The state is least urbanized throughout the country. Greater economic opportunity and educational prospects are being offered by the state, but the urban areas lack in terms of social and human development outcomes. Foreseeing the growth of migratory population in the urban areas, the state arose as a home to migrants from different parts of the country and the world, including Nepal, but there is no complete data of migrants and only small regional level surveys are conducted from time to time. As urbanization comes with an environmental costs, the need for striking a balance between needs to grow along with social and environmental sustainability should be focused upon. Economic alteration and changes in population will also pose a major challenge for the state. “In spite of constructive approach of people towards economic development, their role in the future development can be conditional.
Emphasizing that change brings huge transformation in hopes, ambitions and motivations of citizens. Expectations and aspirations are like a double-edged sword where people grasp opportunities for better quality of lives but if expectations are not fulfilled, it can lead to frustration. The people are highly aspirational for their state, with an anxiety about the effect that rapid development will have on their culture and values and the fear of losing them.
Himachal is well suited to strive on its preceding success and continue moving forward, but the future strategies should focus on rapid and effective response to expanding population and fulfilling their basic needs, without leaving a large carbon footprint for the future generations. Some major problems which are seen in the area because of urbanization are:
- Deterioration in the quality of air, water and agricultural land.
- Solid & Hazardous waste management issues
- Law & Order Problems
- Noise Pollution
- River Bed mining
- Poor living conditions
- Housing shortage
- haphazard construction in industrial areas
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