CM bats for sustainable development, environmental protection

Shimla: Chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Wednesday stressed the need for sustainable urban development and environmental conservation in Himachal Pradesh, saying that preserving the state's clean air and water is the collective responsibility of every citizen.Addressing a gathering in Shimla, the CM said the capital city underwent rapid transformation over the years, with forests giving way to increasing construction activity. He emphasised the need for vertical construction to manage urban expansion effectively.Sukhu said that cloudburst incidents were likely to increase in Uttarakhand and the Northeast in the coming years. He added that during a meeting with the Union home minister, he mentioned that cloudburst incidents would not remain limited to Himachal Pradesh in the future.Former Chief Justice of the Jharkhand high court, Justice Tarlok Singh Chauhan, stressed the need for greater public responsibility and institutional accountability. He said people should improve their own conduct before blaming others for civic issues.Referring to tourism-related concerns, Justice Chauhan said that restrictions should not only target tourists but also require Himachal residents to behave responsibly.He observed that many residents owned multiple vehicles despite lacking parking facilities. Traffic congestion during school hours is largely caused by Himachal-registered vehicles rather than tourist traffic. Urbanisation is not merely demographic change but a reorganisation of society itself, Justice Chauhan added.He emphasised that institutions and urban planning frameworks were failing to keep pace, and the weakest sections ultimately suffered the consequences of these institutional failures.MSID:: 131348154 413 |Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Bakrid wishes, messages and eid 2026