Himalayan Disasters: The Supreme Court Links Floods to Illegal Deforestation and Unplanned Development
UPSC Relevance
Prelims: Environment & Ecology (Deforestation, Ecologically Sensitive Areas, Himalayas); Geography (Landslides, Floods); Indian Polity and Governance (Judiciary, NHAI).
Mains:
General Studies Paper 1 (Geography): Important Geophysical phenomena such as floods, landslides etc., their causes and effects; Changes in critical geographical features.
General Studies Paper 3 (Environment & Disaster Management): Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation; Disaster and disaster management; Linkages between development and spread of extremism (can be extended to the 'Development vs. Environment' debate).
Essay: The Development vs. Environment debate is a classic essay topic.
Key Highlights from the News
The Supreme Court expressed deep concern over the visuals of flowing logs in the floods in North Indian states like Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, and Punjab.
The court observed that widespread illegal felling of Himalayan trees was the cause.
Chief Justice B.R. Gavai strongly opined that development is necessary, but it should not be at the cost of the environment and human lives (Development vs. Environment).
The court stated that repeated floods and landslides in ecologically sensitive areas like the Himalayas are a very serious issue.
The court sent a notice to the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) regarding the complaint that tunnels on the Chandigarh-Manali Highway become "death traps" during floods.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta admitted in court that these disasters are a "payback from nature" for our excessive interference with nature.
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