Climate change, rapid urbanisation and deforestation main contributing factors
TNR News Networks
Shimla: Himachal Pradesh capital Shimla, famous as the Queen of Hills and once renowned for its heavy-snow winters, is witnessing an alarming decline in snowfall.
According to the Meteorological Department, the city has experienced a 37% reduction in snowfall from 1990 to 2020. While Shimla recorded an average snowfall of 129.1 cm between 1990 and 2000, this figure dropped to just 80.3 cm in the decade from 2010 to 2020. Shockingly, in the past three seasons, the snowfall hasn’t even crossed double digits.
Severe impact on tourism, horticulture
Experts attribute this drastic reduction to climate change, environmental imbalance, rising population and deforestation.
The diminishing snow cover is also having a severe impact on tourism and horticulture, two key sectors of Shimla and Himachal Pradesh’s economy.
Shimla’s snowfall has steadily declined over the past three decades. Between 1990 and 2000, the city received an average of 129.1 cm of snowfall annually, with peak months being December (27.1 cm), January (49.2 cm), February (44.7 cm) and March (8.1 cm).
However, in the 2001-2010 decade, snowfall dropped by nearly 48%, averaging just 67.2 cm.
While there was a slight rebound between 2011 and 2020 with an average of 80.3 cm, the trend remained concerning.
Higher snow due to low emissions during Covid
The recent years have shown even more drastic declines. In 2020-21, the figure stood at 67 cm while it was 161.7 cm in 2021-22, attributed to reduced emissions during the COVID-19 lockdown.
In 2022-23, it was a mere 6 cm, 7 cm in 2023-24 and 9.5 cm so far in 2024-25.
The snowfall season typically spans December to March, but the declining trend has left both residents and businesses anxious.
Causes behind declining snowfall
According to experts, multiple factors are contributing to Shimla’s snow drought.
Climate change is the leading cause, with the average surface temperature in Himachal Pradesh increasing by 1.5°C between 1901 and 2023. This temperature rise directly affects snowfall, causing precipitation to fall as rain instead.
Urbanisation and deforestation are also significant contributors. Shimla’s population has more than doubled from 1.2 lakh in 1991 to an estimated 2.5 lakh in 2025, leading to increased construction and vehicular traffic. The number of vehicles has surged from 10,000 in 1990 to over 1 lakh today, contributing to higher carbon emissions.
Drastic decline in forest cover too
A study reveals that Shimla’s forest cover shrank from 34,100 hectares (81.58%) in 1980 to just 25,400 hectares (60.77%) in 2017, with over 8,700 hectares of forest lost due to urbanisation and agricultural expansion.
This loss of green cover disrupts the local microclimate, reducing the likelihood of snowfall.
The dwindling snowfall has severely impacted Shimla’s tourism industry.
Swaraj Singh, a trader from Lakkar Bazaar, lamented, “Shimla used to be flooded with tourists during winters. Now, with less snow, the footfall in markets has drastically reduced.”
This decline has affected local businesses, hotels and transport operators who rely heavily on winter tourism.
Horticulture, especially apple orchards that depend on sufficient chilling hours, is also suffering. The changing climate is altering blooming patterns, affecting both yield and fruit quality.
