Context:
The article highlights the ecological and governance crisis in Himachal Pradesh, emphasizing the Supreme Court’s recent intervention on rampant and unregulated development in the fragile Himalayan ecosystem. The Court has halted additions to the Development Plan for Shimla Planning Area, calling for accountability for disasters aggravated by unchecked construction, hydropower expansion, and environmental violations.
Key Highlights / Details:
- Supreme Court expressed concern over environmental degradation and recurring disasters in Himachal Pradesh.
- The Court criticized the State for failing to implement environmental norms and permitting haphazard development.
- Roads, hotels, and hydropower projects have been built without scientific planning, destabilizing slopes and contributing to frequent landslides.
- Hydropower expansion has fragmented river ecosystems; up to 120 dams have been built or planned in Himachal.
- Construction activities violate zoning norms; roads are cut without retaining walls, worsening erosion.
- IMD recorded an increase in cloudburst incidents and high-intensity rainfall events, leading to flash floods and slope failure.
- The State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) has been ineffective in enforcing risk-sensitive development.
- The Himalayan region requires a new development model based on ecological carrying capacity.
Relevant Prelims Points:
- Carrying Capacity: Maximum population or development an ecosystem can sustain without degradation.
- Cloudburst: Extreme rainfall event ≥100 mm/hour over limited area.
- Eco-sensitive Zones (ESZ): Areas notified under the Environment Protection Act, 1986.
- Key Rivers of Himachal: Beas, Satluj, Ravi, Chenab, Yamuna.
- Supreme Court invoked Article 21 – Right to life with safe environment.
Relevant Mains Points:
- Development vs Environment—conflict in fragile ecosystems.
- Need for risk-informed infrastructure planning in Himalayan states.
- Importance of disaster preparedness, slope stability, and land-use planning.
- Role of judiciary in environmental governance.
- Linking climate change to extreme weather vulnerability.