Impact of climate extremes on socio-economic characteristics of peri-urban mountain settlements

Abstract Rapid urbanisation and a changing climate are transforming the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR), driving profound socio-economic and environmental changes. Himachal Pradesh, located in the western IHR, exemplifies these transformations. As climate change undermines the viability of traditional livelihoods such as agriculture and pastoralism, rural households are increasingly shifting towards secondary and tertiary occupations through livelihood diversification within villages or migration to urban peripheries. This trend is particularly visible in settlements located near major infrastructure, such as highways and hydropower plants, and urban centres where economic opportunities are concentrated. However, such peri-urbanisation often unfolds in an unregulated and unplanned manner, straining the fragile mountain ecosystems and amplifying vulnerabilities to extreme climate events. Despite this, peri-urban mountain settlements remain largely overlooked in policy and research. Fragmented governance structures and overlapping rural and urban jurisdictions result in administrative neglect, exposing these areas to cascading social, environmental, and economic pressures. This study investigates the developmental and climate-induced challenges faced by peri-urban settlements in Himachal Pradesh. Drawing on policy reviews, secondary literature, and primary research, it examines the interlinked risks of climate change and unregulated peri-urban growth, their impacts on livelihoods and infrastructure, and the associated gendered vulnerabilities. A review of the Indian policy landscape highlights critical gaps in existing plans, frameworks, and governance approaches for addressing these compounding challenges. Building on field-based and policy best practices, the study proposes context-sensitive recommendations to strengthen adaptation planning and support climate-resilient development across the peri-urban regions of the IHR.