A path for a battered and broken Himachal Pradesh, Pg8

Key Highlights:

• The Supreme Court expressed concerns about the ecological disaster in Himachal Pradesh while hearing SLP(C) No.19426/2025 [M/s Pristine Hotels and Resorts Pvt. Ltd. vs State of Himachal Pradesh and Anr.].
• The court directed the registry to register a writ petition in public interest regarding ecological imbalances and environmental conditions on July 28, 2025.
• The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways issued a circular on March 23, 2018, restricting the width of hill roads to 5.5 metres due to ecological concerns.
• Himachal Pradesh has various policies, including banning plastic use and promoting sustainable tourism, but their implementation is questionable.

Detailed Insights:

• The court observed that earning revenue cannot come at the cost of the environment and ecology, holding the state and its people responsible for the disastrous state of affairs.
• Cumulative impact assessments of river basins are needed to regulate hydropower development and minimize its impact on ecosystems, considering factors beyond just water flow.
• The construction of roads in geologically fragile areas requires a scientific approach, considering alignment, slope management, and debris disposal, with stringent standards for strategic roads.
• The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) should consult the ‘Landslide Hazard, Vulnerability & Risk Atlas’ and involve institutions like CRRI, GSI, and NDMA to mitigate landslides during highway construction.
• Hazard, Vulnerabilities, Risk and Capabilities Assessment (HVRCA) studies and climate vulnerability assessments should be conducted with scientific rigor using credible data for effective policy and governance actions.
• Despite having numerous environmental policies and initiatives, their effectiveness is questionable as catastrophes are becoming more frequent due to a faulty developmental model.
• Development in Himachal Pradesh should integrate climate change impact projections and disaster risk reduction at the planning stage, ensuring accountability in governance.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA): A process to evaluate the likely environmental impacts of a proposed project or development, taking into account inter-related socio-economic, cultural and human-health impacts, both beneficial and adverse.
• Sustainable Development: Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
• Cloud Burst: An extreme weather event involving 100 mm (10 cm) or more of rainfall within one hour over an area of approximately 20 square kilometres to 30 sq. km.