Himachal Pradesh is at a crossroads in its development journey. A predominantly mountainous Himalayan state with extensive forest cover and abundant water resources, Himachal Pradesh is both a critical ecological asset for India and a region in an ecological crisis. The state’s development trajectory is increasingly being reshaped by climate change. Acknowledging this challenge, the Government of Himachal Pradesh (GoHP) is working towards creating a climate-sensitive development pathway for the state and its people. 

A step in that direction is this Himachal Pradesh State Human Development Report (HDR), prepared by the GoHP, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). This HDR reviews the state’s progress and vulnerabilities across five key themes - agriculture, water and forestry; construction and tourism; health; climate finance; and governance - and offers a blueprint for Himachal Pradesh’s development journey in an increasingly warming world.