Ecological degradation: Situation in Himachal Pradesh has gone from bad to worse, says SC

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 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 and thousands of properties got destroyed. Nature definitely is 'annoyed' with the activities in the state.”

The Bench said, “It is not right to blame only Nature for the disaster in Himachal Pradesh. Humans are responsible for phenomenon such as continuous landslides 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 Himachal Pradesh are Hydro Power Projects, four lane roads, deforestation, multi-storey buildings etc. The state 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. 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.”

Noting that “Himachal Pradesh is often referred to as the "Power State" of India due to its significant hydropower potential,” the Bench said, “While this form of energy is renewable and low-carbon, the large-scale construction of dams, reservoirs, and tunnels comes with considerable environmental costs. Blasting for tunnels destabilised slopes, river diversions affect aquatic ecosystems, and the impoundment of water changes sediment flow."

“In addition, the cumulative impact of multiple projects in the very same river basin is often overlooked in environmental assessments. Communities living near such projects frequently report water scarcity, landslides, and even structural cracks in their homes, raising concerns about the social as well as environmental consequences of hydroelectric expansion. Apparently, the minimum outflow of water, as is contractually mandated, is not being adhered to by the project proponents, resulting in the vanishing of aquatic life. In fact, the mighty trans Himalayan River Sutlej stands reduced to a rivulet,” it said.