The HP HDR 2025 combines classical human development (health, education, income) with climate vulnerability assessment for the first time in an Indian state-level HDR.
It uses a Climate-Adjusted HDI (CA-HDI) — calculated as:
CA-HDI = HDI × (1 − Hazard Index).
This gives a more realistic view of development in a warming Himalayan context.
2. District-wise Analysis
| District | HDI | Climate Hazard Index | Climate-Adjusted HDI | Key Findings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Solan | 0.880 | 0.402 | 0.525 | Highest HDI due to strong education (literacy 95.2%) and industrial economy. However, landslides, flash floods, and construction-related ecological stress sharply reduce CA-HDI. Urban expansion and quarrying are major hazards. |
| Lahaul-Spiti | 0.839 | 0.222 | 0.653 | High education, tourism, and infrastructure. Cold desert climate with glacier retreat (32% loss since 1985). Despite high literacy (92%), fragile terrain and glacial melt lower CA-HDI. Needs glacier-fed irrigation and tourism regulation. |
| Kinnaur | 0.813 | 0.179 | 0.667 | Strong social indices, low poverty (MPI 1.1%), and horticultural income. However, high-altitude road instability and climate-sensitive apple belts pose medium hazard. Performs best on CA-HDI due to resilience and sustainable practices. |
| Shimla | 0.788 | 0.365 | 0.500 | Capital district with diversified economy. However, over-urbanization, slope cutting, and flash flood risk make it one of the most vulnerable hill cities. CA-HDI shows climate stress offsetting human progress. |
| Chamba | 0.743 | 0.184 | 0.606 | Hilly district with improving healthcare and literacy (91%). Landslide-prone areas and deforestation are issues. Resilience improved through eco-tourism and hydropower-linked livelihood programs. |
| Sirmaur | 0.764 | 0.611 | 0.296 | Agriculture-based economy and limited urbanization. Faces soil erosion, forest fire increase, and flash floods in Renuka–Paonta Sahib belt. High hazard exposure reduces CA-HDI. |
| Kullu | 0.778 | 0.448 | 0.429 | Tourism-driven economy (16% of local GSDP). Heavy rainfall variability and cloudbursts in Manali valley have increased hazard risk. Apple yield loss 22% in 5 years. Disaster vulnerability high due to urban sprawl. |
| Mandi | 0.772 | 0.484 | 0.398 | Hydro and construction hub of HP. Landslides, flash floods, and soil erosion dominate. Although industrial growth improved income, fragile terrain keeps CA-HDI low. Needs infrastructure resilience planning. |
| Kangra | 0.695 | 0.431 | 0.395 | Most populous district (22% of state’s population). Good education and health, but uneven income and high flood exposure along Beas River reduce resilience. Soil erosion and flash floods are major hazards. |
| Bilaspur | 0.756 | 0.913 | 0.066 | Industrial hub but heavily climate-exposed. Sharp hazard value due to dam sedimentation, flood risk (Gobind Sagar), and deforestation. Despite moderate HDI, CA-HDI lowest in state. Needs immediate land-use regulation. |
| Hamirpur | 0.769 | 0.524 | 0.366 | Education and service sector strong. Rising temperatures and declining groundwater threaten agriculture. Hazard moderate to high; CA-HDI reduced due to drought stress. |
| Una | 0.723 | 0.677 | 0.234 | Rapid industrial growth, low literacy gaps, but extreme heat (average +1.8°C rise in last 20 years). Faces groundwater depletion and air pollution. High vulnerability, low CA-HDI. |
| Kinnaur | 0.813 | 0.179 | 0.667 | Already above mentioned, remains the most resilient mountain district combining high HDI and low hazard. |
| Lahaul-Spiti | 0.839 | 0.222 | 0.653 | Also repeated: cold desert region with highest sustainability quotient. |
3. Regional Patterns and Insights
A. High-HDI but Climate-Stressed Zone (Solan, Shimla, Mandi)
- Rapid urbanization, cement industries, and road expansion.
- Frequent flash floods and landslides (2023–2025 damage: ₹12,000 crore).
- Policy gap: high development not matched with eco-regulation.
B. Climate-Resilient High-Mountain Zone (Kinnaur, Lahaul-Spiti, Chamba)
- High literacy, low population pressure.
- Effective community-based water and forest management.
- Glacial retreat and road instability emerging threats.
- Example: Kinnaur’s community orchard management and rooftop solar are model practices.
C. Low-HDI, High-Exposure Zone (Kangra, Una, Sirmaur, Bilaspur)
- Agricultural reliance + industrialization = dual stress.
- Water contamination, flood plains, and heat stress common.
- Need targeted adaptation — groundwater recharge, heat shelters, riverbank zoning.
D. Transitional Zone (Hamirpur, Kullu)
- Benefiting from education and service industries but vulnerable to climate variability.
- Needs adaptive agricultural models, green construction, and eco-tourism standards.
4. Thematic Deep Dive by Sector
1. Health
- Life expectancy: 72.6 years.
- Infant Mortality Rate: 18/1000 (lower than India: 28/1000).
- Vector diseases up by 38% in 5 years (dengue, scrub typhus).
- Health infrastructure gaps in Lahaul-Spiti and Pangi; resilience plans include solar-powered health centers.
2. Education
- Literacy: 93.3%.
- Female literacy >90% in 10 districts; lowest in Sirmaur (87%).
- Dropout rate: <3%, but vocational training <12% participation.
- Online learning gaps in tribal and remote zones.
3. Economy
- Per capita income: ₹2.61 lakh (2024–25).
- Service sector: 52% of GSDP.
- Manufacturing concentration in Solan, Una, and Bilaspur (cement, pharma, electronics).
- Agriculture productivity stagnating; horticulture contributes 23% of agri-GSDP.
4. Climate and Disasters
- Average temperature up by +1.5°C since 1901.
- 70% of natural springs drying.
- Monsoon 2025: 46% excess rainfall, ₹4,000 crore loss.
- Forest fires tripled since 2023.
- Flood-prone belts: Kangra, Mandi, Sirmaur, Solan.
- Snowline retreat 500–800 m upward in Lahaul-Spiti.
5. Governance and Adaptation
- Himachal ranked 2nd among Indian states in State Climate Readiness Index (after Sikkim).
- HDR recommends:
- Climate Finance Cell in the Finance Department.
- Integration of Panchayats in climate budgeting.
- Gender-responsive resilience plans.
- State Climate Act (proposed 2026).
5. Development Inequalities
| Indicator | Urban | Rural |
|---|---|---|
| HDI | 0.821 | 0.741 |
| Literacy | 95.8% | 92.3% |
| Health Access Index | 0.79 | 0.64 |
| Internet Access | 84% | 41% |
Gap remains between urban-industrial belts (Solan, Una) and interior highlands (Lahaul-Spiti, Kinnaur).
6. HDR 2025 Key Takeaways
- Himachal’s average HDI of 0.783 places it in the “High Human Development” group globally.
- Climate-adjusted HDI reveals a 28–35% reduction in actual resilience.
- Western and low-altitude regions (Bilaspur, Una, Sirmaur) are the most climate-vulnerable.
- The report urges green fiscal policies, district climate action plans, and digital data integration.
- Emphasis on “mountain-sensitive development” — balancing growth with ecological limits.
7. Final Synthesis
- Strengths:
High literacy, healthcare, forest cover, and decentralized governance. - Weaknesses:
Climate fragility, poor infrastructure resilience, and rural health inequality. - Opportunities:
Green jobs, eco-tourism, hydroelectric reforms, and climate-smart farming. - Threats:
Accelerating extreme weather, infrastructure loss, and water insecurity.
Conclusion
Himachal Pradesh HDR 2025 signals a shift from growth metrics to resilience metrics.
It concludes that “The state’s next development leap must not only be measured by income and literacy, but by its ability to withstand and recover from climate shocks.”
Source https://www.undp.org/sites/g/files/zskgke326/files/2025-10/hp_hdr_summary_1.pdf
