Shimla, Oct. 28 -- The average Human Development Index (HDI) of Himachal Pradesh is 0.78, which is higher than the national average of 0.63, according to the Himachal Pradesh Human Development Report 2025, released by chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Monday. The Human Development Index (HDI) is a summary measure of average achievement in key dimensions of human development: a long and healthy life, being knowledgeable and having a decent standard of living. The report also highlights that Himachal has suffered an estimated loss of Rs.46,000 crore owing to natural disasters over the past five years, translating to an annual hit of nearly 4% to the state's GDP. The report has been prepared jointly by department of environment, science, technology and climate change, Government of Himachal, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), India, under the theme "Building the Future in a Climate-Impacted World". Sukhu said, "It is a matter of pride that according to the report, the average HDI of Himachal is 0.78, which is higher than the national average of 0.63." Expressing concern over climate change, the CM said that it has emerged as a serious global issue and if a sustainable solution was not worked out immediately, both the present and the future generations would have to face its severe consequences. He said Himachal has always been proactive and sensitive advocating environment-friendly development and has adopted a sustainable development framework. "For the first time, the government of Himachal decided to get an independent assessment done through a third-party agency like the UNDP. This report reflects the positive policy response of our government over the past two and a half to three years," Sukhu said. Resident representative of UNDP India, Dr Angela Lusigi, while presenting the report said, "This is the first state Human Development Report in India that examines the intersection of human development and climate change." "The key message is clear climate change is not only about the environment, it's about human development," she said. "In 2025, Himachal Pradesh witnessed floods in Kangra, landslides in Kullu, and record heat in Una. These events cost the state an estimated Rs.4,300 crore - nearly three times more than last year. Yet, the report gives us hope, showing that climate resilience and local wisdom can safeguard progress," she added....