For Prelims: Seismic Zones of India, Kath-Kuni Architecture, Dhajji-Dewari, Forest Conservation Act, 1980, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), Hotel growth in Himachal (2016-2025), Homestay growth in Himachal (2016-2025), Forest land diverted for hydro projects
For Mains: Seismic resilience of traditional architecture; Forest Conservation Act and timber rights; Urbanisation in fragile Himalayan ecosystems; PMAY and housing policy bias
Source:
Indian Express
5 facts for one-day exams
SSC, railway, police and teaching exams ask direct questions like these.
- Between 2016-2025, registered hotels in Himachal grew by 90% and homestays by 670%.
- Himachal lies in India's highest earthquake-risk Seismic Zones IV and V.
- The 1905 Kangra earthquake (7.8 magnitude) destroyed over 1 lakh buildings but Kath-Kuni structures survived.
- Over 1,000 hydroelectric projects are planned in Himachal, diverting 31.9% of forest land.
- Traditional Himachali homes use Kath-Kuni (interlocking wood and stone), Dhajji-Dewari (timber and mud), and rammed earth.
Why in the news?
Himachal's shift from traditional Kath-Kuni, Dhajji-Dewari, and mud homes to concrete buildings has increased seismic vulnerability and landslide risk. The news highlights how the National Building Code, PWD rules, bank norms, and PMAY guidelines favour concrete, while traditional earthquake-resistant architecture remains unrecognised, uninsured, and stigmatised as 'kutcha'.
Summary
- Traditional Himachali homes (Kath-Kuni, Dhajji-Dewari, mud brick, rammed earth) are naturally earthquake-resistant and thermally efficient; concrete buildings on steep slopes increase landslide and heat-island risks.
- Between 2016-2025, registered hotels in Himachal grew 90% and homestays 670%, without any carrying-capacity study; over 1,000 hydroelectric projects are planned, diverting 31.9% of forest land.
- The 1905 Kangra earthquake (7.8 magnitude) flattened over 1 lakh buildings, but ancient Kath-Kuni structures like Naggar Castle (500-year-old) and Chehni Kothi tower (12th-century) survived intact.
Highlights
Traditional vs Concrete Homes
Himachal's indigenous Kath-Kuni, Dhajji-Dewari, and mud homes are earthquake-resistant and thermally efficient, but concrete construction is increasing landslide and heat-island risks.
Hydro Projects and Forest Loss
Over 1,000 hydroelectric projects planned in Himachal account for 31.9% of all forest land diverted, choking river valleys.
Policy Bias Against Traditional Building
The National Building Code, PWD price lists, bank loan norms, and PMAY guidelines only recognise concrete and brick, denying recognition and insurance to mud-and-stone homes.
Background
Himachal Pradesh lies in Seismic Zones IV and V, India's highest earthquake-risk categories. The 1905 Kangra earthquake (7.8 magnitude) destroyed over 1 lakh buildings, but traditional Kath-Kuni structures like Naggar Castle (500-year-old) and Chehni Kothi tower (12th-century) survived due to mortar-free, interlocking walls that flex like a woven basket.
Key Analysis and Impact
Between 2016-2025, registered hotels grew 90% and homestays 670% without any carrying-capacity study. Concrete buildings on steep slopes block subsurface water drainage, triggering landslides—confirmed by GSI surveys after the 2023 monsoon disasters in Kullu, Mandi, and Shimla. Additionally, over 1,000 hydroelectric projects are planned, diverting 31.9% of forest land, while ₹273 crore (31%) of the ₹865 crore tree-planting fund remained unspent (2021-2026).
Way Forward
Four reforms are proposed: (1) Update the National Building Code, PWD schedules, bank rules, and PMAY guidelines to recognise engineered mud, Kath-Kuni, and Dhajji-Dewari as Pucca and loan-eligible; (2) Train youth at state ITIs in mechanised mud-block pressing and traditional Thawi skills; (3) Provide pre-approved mud-and-stone blueprints at Panchayat level; (4) Tax concrete hotels, incentivise natural homestays, and use unspent funds to grow community Devdar and bamboo forests.
Traditional vs Concrete Construction in Himachal
| Feature | Traditional (Kath-Kuni/Dhajji-Dewari) | Concrete |
|---|---|---|
| Earthquake resilience | Flexible walls; survived 1905 Kangra quake | Rigid; collapsed in 1905 quake |
| Thermal efficiency | Natural thermal battery; cool in summer, warm in winter | Freezes in winter, bakes in summer |
| Landslide risk | Stone foundations allow water seepage | Blocks drainage, triggers landslides |
| Policy recognition | Not recognised as Pucca; no loans/insurance | Recognised; eligible for PMAY subsidies |
Himachal Pradesh connection
Matters for these Himachal Pradesh exams:HPPSC HAS 9/10HPRCA 8/10
Background GK
Textbook concepts you need to understand this news
- Seismic Zones of India
- India is divided into four seismic zones (II, III, IV, V) based on earthquake risk. Zone V is the highest risk; Zone IV is high risk. Himachal lies in Zones IV and V.
- Kath-Kuni Architecture
- A traditional Himachali building technique using interlocking Deodar cedar wood and dry stone without mortar. Walls are flexible and earthquake-resistant.
- Dhajji-Dewari
- A timber-and-mud construction technique from Kangra and Chamba regions of Himachal, known for seismic resilience.
- Forest Conservation Act, 1980
- An Act to prevent deforestation and regulate diversion of forest land for non-forest purposes. It requires central government approval for any such diversion.
- Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY)
- A flagship central government scheme aimed at providing affordable housing to all urban and rural poor. Subsidies are currently tied to cement-and-brick construction.
Facts to remember
Tap a card to see the answer. Try to recall it first.
How exams will ask this
- Data: 90% hotel growth and 670% homestay growth in Himachal (2016-2025); 31.9% forest land diverted for hydro projects
- Nodal Body: Geological Survey of India (GSI); National Building Code; Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
- Legal Point: Forest Conservation Act, 1980; tree-felling bans post-1996
Don't make this mistake!
They may ask about 'carrying capacity study' as a concept, or confuse the 1905 Kangra earthquake magnitude (7.8) with other Himalayan earthquakes. Also, they may swap 'Kath-Kuni' with 'Dhajji-Dewari' or ask which is native to which district.
Write these in mains answers
- Seismic resilience of traditional architecture
- Forest Conservation Act and timber rights
- Urbanisation in fragile Himalayan ecosystems
- PMAY and housing policy bias
Stuck? Get it in one tap
Himachal is building too many concrete hotels and homes on steep hills without studying how much weight the mountains can hold. Concrete blocks trap rainwater underground and cause landslides, while traditional homes made of wood, mud, and stone survived big earthquakes. But government rules, bank loans, and school textbooks only support concrete. The news suggests updating building codes and training people in traditional methods.
- Between 2016-2025, registered hotels in Himachal grew by 90% and homestays by 670%.
- Himachal lies in India's highest earthquake-risk Seismic Zones IV and V.
- The 1905 Kangra earthquake (7.8 magnitude) destroyed over 1 lakh buildings but Kath-Kuni structures survived.
- Over 1,000 hydroelectric projects are planned in Himachal, diverting 31.9% of forest land.
- Traditional Himachali homes use Kath-Kuni (interlocking wood and stone), Dhajji-Dewari (timber and mud), and rammed earth.
- Geography: Seismic zones and disaster management
- Environment: Forest conservation and hydroelectric projects
Related concepts: Seismic Zones of India, Kath-Kuni Architecture, Dhajji-Dewari, Forest Conservation Act, 1980
Practice questions
Pick an answer, then read the explanation.
- Q1Easy
Which Indian Act primarily regulates the diversion of forest land for non-forest purposes, such as hydroelectric projects?
Explanation: The Forest Conservation Act, 1980 requires central government approval for any diversion of forest land for non-forest purposes. The Wildlife Protection Act deals with protected areas, the Environment Protection Act is a general umbrella law, and the Biological Diversity Act addresses genetic resources. Hence option B is correct.
- Q2Hard
Consider the following statements regarding traditional architecture in Himachal Pradesh:
- 1.Kath-Kuni homes use interlocking Deodar cedar and dry stone without mortar, making them earthquake-resistant.
- 2.Dhajji-Dewari construction is primarily found in the Spiti region of Himachal.
- 3.The 1905 Kangra earthquake destroyed over one lakh buildings but ancient Kath-Kuni structures like Naggar Castle survived.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation: Statement 1 is correct: Kath-Kuni uses interlocking wood and dry stone. Statement 2 is incorrect because Dhajji-Dewari is found in Kangra and Chamba, not Spiti (where rammed earth is traditional). Statement 3 is correct: the 1905 Kangra earthquake (7.8 magnitude) flattened over one lakh buildings but Naggar Castle and Chehni Kothi tower survived. Hence option C is correct.
- Q3Medium
According to the CEC report mentioned, what was the growth percentage of registered hotels in Himachal Pradesh between 2016 and 2025?
Explanation: Registered hotels grew by 90 per cent between 2016 and 2025. 670% is the growth figure for homestays, not hotels. Hence option B is correct.
- Q4Medium
What is the primary reason cited for concrete buildings on steep slopes triggering landslides in Himachal Pradesh?
Explanation: Solid concrete acts like an underground dam, trapping subsurface water until pressure explodes the slope. GSI surveys after the 2023 monsoon disasters confirmed this. While concrete does add weight (option A), the trapped water pressure is the direct trigger. Options C and D are side effects, not the primary landslide cause. Hence option B is correct.
Frequently asked questions
1. What is Kath-Kuni architecture?
Kath-Kuni is a traditional Himachali building technique using interlocking Deodar cedar wood and dry stone without mortar, making walls flexible and earthquake-resistant.
2. Why are concrete buildings on steep slopes causing landslides in Himachal?
Solid concrete blocks act like underground dams, trapping subsurface monsoon rainwater until pressure builds up and explodes the slope, triggering landslides. GSI surveys after the 2023 disasters confirmed this.
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- Original6 November 2026 · Read story
