Ecological imbalance in Himachal Pradesh has reached alarming levels, prompting the Supreme Court to appoint an amicus curiae. The Court stressed expert guidance is essential to address environmental concerns, climate change, hydropower impact, deforestation, and sustainable development challenges.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court appointed an amicus curiae to assist in addressing ecological imbalances in Himachal Pradesh.
Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta were reviewing a suo motu case concerning the environmental conditions in the state.
Previously, on July 28, another bench led by Justices J.B. Pardiwala and R. Mahadevan warned that the state might “vanish in thin air” if the current situation did not improve.
The advocate general and additional advocate general of Himachal Pradesh informed the bench about a report scheduled to be filed on August 23.
The apex court noted a deterioration in conditions and remarked in July that climate change was having a “visible and alarming impact” on the region. The court was also addressing a petition challenging a Himachal Pradesh High Court order that dismissed an appeal against a June 2025 notification designating certain areas as “green area.”
While the Supreme Court declined to interfere with the high court’s decision, it recognized that the notification aimed to limit construction activities in those areas.
The bench highlighted that experts and various reports identified the main contributors to the state’s environmental degradation as hydropower projects, four-lane roads, deforestation, and multi-storey buildings.
Emphasizing the unique ecological challenges of the Himalayan region, the court stressed the importance of consulting geologists, environmental experts, and local communities before proceeding with development initiatives.
The apex court acknowledged tourism as a vital economic driver for the state but raised concerns about the “uncontrolled growth of tourism” putting additional strain on the environment.
The court warned,
“If left unchecked, the pressure from tourism could severely undermine the ecological and social fabric of the state.”
Addressing the distinctive challenges faced by Himalayan states, the bench called for collaboration to ensure that development plans consider environmental sensitivities.
It stated,
“All that we want to convey today is that it is high time the state of HP pays attention to what we have observed and starts taking necessary action at the earliest in the right direction,”
The court also emphasized the central government’s responsibility to prevent further ecological deterioration or natural disasters in the state.
As it directed the court registry to register a public interest writ petition on the issue, the bench remarked,
“Of course much damage has been caused but there is a saying that ‘something is better than nothing’,”
It concluded,
“We expect the state to file an appropriate reply explaining whether they have any action plan to meet with the issues we have discussed and what do they propose to do in future,”
Case Title: In Re: Issues Relating to Ecology and Environmental Conditions Prevailing in the State of Himachal Pradesh
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