The Supreme Court on Monday said it would appoint an amicus curiae to assist in the matter concerning the worsening ecological imbalance in Himachal Pradesh, where fragile mountain systems face mounting stress from unchecked development and climate change.
A Bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta posted the matter for hearing after four weeks, noting that the state government had already filed a report on August 23. Appearing for Himachal Pradesh, the Advocate General and Additional Advocate General apprised the court of the submission.
The proceedings arise from the Court’s decision last month to take suo motu cognisance of environmental degradation in the hill state. On 28 July, a different Bench of Justices JB Pardiwala and R Mahadevan had issued a stark warning that Himachal Pradesh might “vanish in thin air” if the situation did not change.
That Bench had been dealing with an appeal against a Himachal Pradesh High Court order which declined to interfere with the state government’s June 2025 notification designating certain areas as green belts. While refusing to interfere, the apex court had stressed that the notification was clearly intended to curb construction activity in ecologically sensitive zones.
Also read: Cloudbursts in Himalayas raise alarm over climate crisis
The Court observed that the state’s condition had deteriorated visibly, with climate change exerting an “alarming impact”. Reports before it attributed the crisis to rampant hydropower projects, the expansion of four-lane highways, large-scale deforestation, and the spread of multi-storey concrete structures.
Noting that tourism – the state’s economic lifeline – was itself intensifying ecological pressures, the judges emphasised the necessity of involving geologists, environmental experts and local communities before undertaking major development works.
The Bench had earlier reminded the Union government of its obligation to ensure that the state does not slip further towards imbalance and natural disaster. It directed the Registry to register a writ petition in public interest, asking Himachal Pradesh to file a comprehensive response, outlining whether it had an action plan in place and what measures were being contemplated for the future.
The Court’s intervention reflects growing judicial concern that unchecked economic activity in the Himalayas could result in irreversible damage to fragile mountain ecosystems, already battered by climate extremes.
Follow us
