‘Entire State Of Himachal Pradesh May Disappear’: Supreme Court’s Serious Warning on Environmental Crisis
The apex court drew attention to the larger problem of unplanned and unsustainable development across the hill state.
The Supreme Court on Friday issued a serious warning regarding the worsening environmental situation in Himachal Pradesh. “The day is not far when the entire state of Himachal Pradesh may disappear,” remarked Justices JB Pardiwala and R Mahadevan, pointing to the state’s deepening ecological crisis, worsened by recurring natural calamities.
These strong remarks were made during a hearing concerning the environmental preservation of Shri Tara Devi Hill in Shimla. The court upheld the Himachal Pradesh government’s move to declare the hill a green zone, prohibiting any new construction activity.
However, the bench took the occasion to raise concerns about the larger pattern of unregulated development across the state. Justice Pardiwala stated, “You cannot generate revenue at the expense of the environment,” underscoring how unchecked and often irrational construction, hydropower projects, multi-lane highways, and widespread deforestation are severely damaging the fragile Himalayan ecology.
The Supreme Court observed that “the condition in Himachal Pradesh has deteriorated significantly,” with serious ecological imbalance leading to an increase in both the frequency and severity of natural disasters. In the current year alone, hundreds have lost their lives and thousands of homes and properties have been damaged due to landslides and flash floods.
The court also pointed out that climate change is having a “clear and deeply concerning effect,” noting the rapid retreat of glaciers like the Bara Shigri, shifting snowfall patterns, and unpredictable weather changes that are making mountain slopes unstable and affecting farming, horticulture, and ecotourism-based livelihoods.
The apex court stressed that these disasters are largely the result of human actions rather than purely natural causes. It pointed to uncontrolled tourism, inadequate waste disposal systems, and the failure to follow environmental norms during infrastructure development as key factors. Treating the matter as a suo motu Public Interest Litigation (PIL), the Supreme Court signalled its intention to monitor the crisis closely, directing the Himachal Pradesh government to present a detailed action plan within four weeks.
