Himachal Pradesh may “vanish from the map of the country” if ecological damage continues, warns Supreme Court |
It’s high time that humans start behaving responsibly especially when it comes to travel. In a powerful warning, the Supreme Court of India has warned of the environmental crisis in Himachal Pradesh caused by humans. “Nature definitely is annoyed with the activities which are going on in the State of HP.”On July 28, 2025, a Bench of Justices J.B. Pardiwala and R. Mahadevan alerted:“If things proceed the way they are as on date, then the day is not far when the entire State of Himachal Pradesh may vanish in thin air from the map of the country. God forbid this doesn’t happen.”It happened during a court hearing. It was a plea by Pristine Hotels and Resorts Pvt. Ltd., challenging the Himachal government’s notification declaring Shri Tara Mata Hill in Shimla a ‘Green Area.’ But the petition was dismissed, and the Court upheld the state’s decision. The SC used the case to show Himachal’s ecological crisis is getting worse. Why the Court stepped in
The judges mentioned that the situation in Himachal has “gone from bad to worse.” The Court further said that given the years of ecological imbalance and reckless environmental practices have triggered recurring natural disasters in Himachal Pradesh.
The Court also mentioned this year’s floods and landslides tragedies that have claimed over a hundred lives and destroyed properties. The Court further mentioned:
The slopes are unstable because of unscientific hill cutting for four-lane highways and tunnels.The reason behind “vanishing of aquatic life” are hydropower projects which are functioning without maintaining minimum water flowThe judges also observed that the “the mighty trans Himalayan river Sutlej stands reduced to a rivulet”.Hillsides are destabilised because of blasting tunnels The judges were clear in their message, “Revenue cannot be earned at the cost of environment and ecology.”So what’s next
The SC has asked Himachal Pradesh to file a time-bound affidavit to address the following issues:Construction in landslide-prone regionsRegulation of rivers and hydropower projectsCompliance with environmental flow rulesMeasures for slope stabilisationRestoration of strict forest protectionThe Court also reminded the State that protecting nature is not optionalWhy is it an urgent matter
Though it was a single dispute—Pristine Hotels and Resorts Pvt. Ltd. v. State of Himachal Pradesh (SLP(C) No. 19426/2025), the matter has turned bigger. By creating a suo motu case, the SC has placed Himachal Pradesh’s environmental survival under judicial watch.The Court’s warning is clear that the development cannot come at the cost of their survival. So it’s time for the State and the Union government to reconsider the policies before it is too late.The next hearing approaches in late August.
