Entire Himalayan range facing issues: Supreme Court on floods, landslides in north India

The Supreme Court on Monday remarked that the entire Himalayan region is at the risk of natural disasters and calamities have been particularly "violent" this year. [M/S Pristine Hotels and Resorts Pvt. Ltd. vs. State of Himachal Pradesh & Anr.].

A bench of Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta made the observation during the hearing of a suo motu public interest litigation (PIL) pertaining to environmental protection and climate vulnerability in Himachal Pradesh.

"It isn't going to be limited to Himachal only, but entire Himalayan range that is facing the issue. This time it has been very very violent," the Court said.

Senior Advocate K Parameshwar, who is as an amicus curiae in the matter, earlier submitted that the State government's report suffered from several deficiencies, as it merely suggested the constitution of a Committee to examine different aspects without providing any concrete measures. He further argued that the canvass of the report was too broad, making it impossible to address the entire issue in a single stroke

The Court observed that the issues extend beyond Himachal Pradesh and it said that it intends to expand the scope of the PIL to cover the entire Himalayan region, which has recently experienced severe ecological disturbances.

It then ordered that the matter be listed on September 23 for pronouncement of orders.

"List on 23rd September for orders. Senior Advocate K Parameshwar has submitted a small report, which is taken on record."

In August 2025, a Bench of Justices JB Pardiwala and R Mahadevan had initiated the suo motu case after taking note of reports highlighting severe ecological degradation in the north Indian State.

The Court had directed both the State government and the Union of India to submit detailed action plans to tackle the ongoing environmental crisis, stressing the urgent need for sustainable management of natural resources.

“The situation in the State of Himachal Pradesh has gone from bad to worse. The severe ecological imbalance and other environmental conditions have led to serious natural calamities over a period of years. This year also hundreds of people perished in the floods and landslides & thousands of properties got destroyed. The nature definitely is annoyed with the activities which are going on in the State of HP,” the bench had said.

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