The Supreme Court on Monday observed that ecological and environmental challenges were not confined to Himachal Pradesh alone but extended across the entire Himalayan range, which has witnessed unusually “violent” conditions this year.
A bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta was hearing a suo motu case on the ecological situation in Himachal Pradesh. The bench noted that the issue was of wider significance, stressing that the fragile Himalayan ecosystem as a whole was under strain.
“Ultimately, it is not going to be limited to Himachal only. It is the entire Himalayan range that is facing this. This time around, it has been very, very violent,” Justice Mehta observed during the proceedings.
The court has reserved its order in the matter, which will be pronounced on September 23. Meanwhile, Himachal Pradesh’s Advocate General and Additional Advocate General submitted a state report on the prevailing environmental situation.