Ecological degradation leading to loss of lives, property IN Himachal Pradesh, says Supreme Court

As Himachal Pradesh faces Nature's fury resulting in loss of lives and property due to floods and landslides caused by ecological degradation, the Supreme Court has said that the situation has gone from bad to worse in the state.

While appreciating the object behind notifications such as the one issued on June 6, 2025 declaring certain earmarked areas as green areas, a Bench of Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice R Mahadevan said, “…but we are afraid to say that it is too late in the day for the state to issue such notifications and try to save the situation. “

It said, “The situation in the State of Himachal Pradesh has gone from bad to worse. The severe ecological imbalance and other environmental conditions have led to serious natural calamities over a period of years. This year also hundreds of people perished in the floods and landslides & thousands of properties got destroyed. Nature definitely is annoyed with the activities which are going on in the State of HP.”

The Bench said, “It is not right to blame only nature for the disaster in Himachal Pradesh. Humans, not nature, are responsible for phenomenon such as continuous landsliding of mountains and soil, land-slides on roads, collapsing of houses and buildings, subsidence of road etc.”

Citing experts and various reports, it said, “…the major causes of destruction in the State of Himachal Pradesh are Hydro Power Projects, four lane roads, deforestation, multi-storey buildings etc. The state of HP is nestled in the lap of the Himalayan Mountains. It is important to seek the opinion of Geologists, Environmental Experts and local people before any development project is undertaken here.”

The Bench upheld the high court’s decision to dismiss M/s Pristine Hotels and Resorts Pvt. Ltd’s challenge to the June 6, 2025 notification declaring Shri Tara Mata Hill a “Green Area.”

Noting that nature has given abundant beauty to the state, the top court said its emerging high mountains; diverse flora and cool climate attract tourists from faraway places.

“Taking advantage of this natural beauty, the Government started constructing four lane roads to promote it as a tourist destination. To build these roads heavy machinery and explosives materials were used according to various reports to cut the mountains due to which the natural balance of the place has started to deteriorate,” it noted.

“With forests encompassing more than 66% of the total land area, Himachal Pradesh is renowned for its abundant beauty and greenery. But the danger to this natural richness is growing as a result of human greed and apathy. There are numerous environment-related issues, direct or indirect, facing the State of HP. Because of its delicate mountainous geography, the State is at risk for earthquakes, flash floods, and landslides. With projects like Bhakra, Nathpa Jhakri, and several other projects set up on major rivers, i.e. Beas, Sutlej, Chenab, Ravi, Yamuna, both in the public and private sectors, it's also a major hydroelectric power hub that makes a substantial contribution to India's renewable energy,” the Bench said.

However, it said, “…unrelenting building, tunnel, and road construction, frequently done without sufficient environmental planning, has increased the area's susceptibility to natural disasters and the effects of climate change. Ecological diversity and growing human demands necessitate immediate sustainable planning and conservation measures.”