Shimla, Sept. 16 -- Himachal Pradesh to come up with hill-cutting policy, prompted by the rise in landslide incidents across the state and the need for stricter development norms.

Special secretary, disaster management, Pushpendra Rana, said that the state government had drafted a Hill Cutting Policy aimed at regulating construction and development activities in vulnerable hill areas. The policy is currently under examination by the law department, he said.

"The basic objective is to minimise unnecessary hill cutting and ensure that development follows the natural profile of the hill. Natural drainage systems have to be protected, slopes need to be stabilised and excavated material and muck must be stored or dumped safely," Rana said on...