Landour’s fragile tale: Mussoorie’s British-named village in trouble, facing ecological challenges and illegal excavation

Mussoorie: Mussoorie, the "Queen of the Hills,” has always been a magnet for tourists. Beyond its bustling Mall Road lies Landour, a quieter corner steeped in history, literature, and colonial heritage.

Named after Landour, a village in Wales (United Kingdom), Landour was established in the 1820s as a sanatorium for British soldiers. Its origins, restrictions on construction, and literary associations make it unique. But today, Landour faces a new challenge: its bazaar is sinking, threatening lives, livelihoods, and heritage.

A name from Wales

Professor Anju of DAV PG College explains that Landour’s name reflects the nostalgia of Welsh soldiers stationed here. In the 1820s, the British Indian Army developed the site as a cantonment. Soldiers named it after their homeland village, Llanddorr, which became "Landour” in local pronunciation.

Captain Young, commandant of the Gurkha Battalion, built the first structure here in 1825. Since then, Landour has remained under strict Cantonment Board regulations. Outsiders cannot buy land or build houses; new construction is illegal. This restriction has preserved Landour’s old-world charm—wooden cottages, Gothic churches, and pine-scented lanes.

Ruskin Bond’s Home

Landour is also the permanent residence of celebrated author Ruskin Bond, who calls it his "home in the mountains.” His stories often feature Landour’s paths, valleys, and bazaars, drawing readers to experience the landscapes he immortalized. For many, visiting Landour is like stepping into the pages of his books.

Tourist attractions

Despite restrictions, Landour welcomes visitors to landmarks like Char Dukaan, Lal Tibba, and St. Paul’s Church. Its slow pace and colonial aura contrast sharply with Mussoorie’s commercial buzz. Tourists enjoy its tranquility, but they cannot settle here permanently.

A bazaar in peril

While Landour’s heritage is celebrated, its bazaar is sinking. The central stretch near the Kohinoor Building has subsided nearly a foot in recent months. Cracks have appeared on roads, shops, and homes. Traders say the ground has been sinking for two years, but the pace has accelerated recently.

Illegal excavation and unplanned construction are to be blamed

Local residents blame illegal excavation and unplanned construction in lower parts of Landour Bazaar. Despite repeated complaints to the Mussoorie Dehradun Development Authority (MDDA) and district administration, no effective action has been taken.

Jagjeet Kukreja, general secretary of the traders’ association, warns: "If this situation persists, the existence of Landour Bazaar is at risk. A major accident could happen any time.”

Geological sensitivity

Mussoorie lies in Seismic Zone-IV, making it highly vulnerable to earthquakes. Experts from IIT Roorkee and the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology have inspected Landour, but their reports remain unpublished. Residents fear that without mitigation, subsidence could lead to sudden collapse during seismic activity.

The recent heavy monsoon worsened instability, causing landslides and road collapses in nearby Jharipani. Water bunds failed, adding to erosion. Landour’s fragile geology, combined with human interference, has created a dangerous mix.

Authorities respond

Mussoorie Municipal Council president Meera Saklani has promised swift action. She said IIT Roorkee’s report will be reviewed, and Cabinet Minister Ganesh Joshi has inspected the site. However, residents remain skeptical, citing years of inaction.

For tourists, Landour remains enchanting. For residents, it is a daily struggle between nostalgia and survival. The sinking bazaar is not just a local issue—it is a warning about unplanned development in fragile Himalayan towns.

Stricter enforcement of construction bans, transparent publication of geological reports

Experts suggest stricter enforcement of construction bans, transparent publication of geological reports, and community-led monitoring. Camera traps and sensors, already used in wildlife zones, could be adapted to track ground movement. Sustainable tourism, rather than unchecked commercialization, is the only way to protect Landour’s legacy.