SC issued notices to the Centre, Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh after observing that large-scale illegal tree felling may be worsening floods in the region. The court sought detailed responses on deforestation and disaster management measures.
The Supreme Court on Thursday raised serious concerns about illegal tree felling in the Himalayan region. The top court referred to the viral videos of timber logs floating in floodwaters in Himachal Pradesh. A bench of Chief Justice of India BR Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran said the matter was alarming, pointing out that recent floods and landslides in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Punjab showed clear signs of large-scale environmental damage. The judges noted that wooden logs seen in floodwaters suggested rampant and illegal felling of trees in the hills, according to a report by Live Law.
The court issued notices to the Union government through the Ministries of Environment and Jal Shakti, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) as well as the state governments of Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Jammu & Kashmir.
Chief Justice Gavai told Solicitor General Tushar Mehta that the issue was “serious,” urging immediate action. The Solicitor General assured the court that he would ask the Environment Ministry to coordinate with the concerned state governments.
During the hearing, the petitioner’s lawyer also warned that 14 tunnels between Chandigarh and Manali turn into “death traps” during heavy rains and landslides, citing a report that 300 people were recently stranded in one such tunnel.
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