Observation was made in a Special Leave Petition wherein SC upheld the Himachal Pradesh State Government's notification prohibiting all private construction on sites declared as Green Area.
Key Issues faced by the Region: Observations of SC
- Infrastructure development: Driven by the twin goals of connectivity and tourism (both Nature and Religious) causes proliferation of projects like four-lane highways, private infrastructure on unstable slopes, etc.
- Hydropower Expansion: Coupled with rampant construction impacts aquatic life. E.g. River Sutlej stands reduced to a rivulet.
- Increased Vulnerability: Unchecked activities has weakened soil structure increasing vulnerability to disasters. E.g., Kullu (2025), Mandi (2025), Shimla (2023).
- Glacier Retreat: Biggest Bara Shigri glacier in Lahaul Spiti has been reduced by almost 2-2.5 kilometres.
- Legislative Bottlenecks: Legislations governing municipalities for waste collection and management, not in sync with Waste Management Rules 2016.
- Administrative Issues: Removal of forest guard check posts earlier set up at various places within the State has compounded the problem of illegal felling of trees.
Ways for Effective Resolution of Issues
- Proper Monitoring and Government Accountability: To check the diversion of green tax funds (levied on the districts accorded with special status) for unrelated purposes.
- Addressing Illicit Operations: Like Mining and quarrying by offering alternative income sources and effective enforcement of environmental regulations.
- Expert Opinions: Opinion of Geologists, Environmental Experts and local people to be taken before starting developmental projects.
- Sustainable Solid Waste Management: Localised segregation, community awareness, and decentralised processing.
