By Khabar Rojana 
The Supreme Court has issued notices to the Centre and four northern states over the recent floods and heavy rains, raising alarm about illegal tree felling in the hills. The court also said the crisis is serious.
The Supreme Court has issued a notice to the Centre and the state governments of Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, and Jammu and Kashmir over a petition concerning the devastating floods and heavy rains that have wreaked havoc in these regions. Expressing deep concern, the court highlighted that the situation appears extremely serious. Referring to videos that showed large numbers of timber logs being swept down by floodwaters in Himachal Pradesh, the bench pointed out that illegal felling of trees in the hills could be a major contributing factor. The top court also emphasised that such large-scale environmental damage cannot be ignored.
CJI expresses concern over widespread devastation
During the hearing, Chief Justice of India (CJI) BR Gavai remarked, “We have seen unprecedented landslides and floods in Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Punjab. From the media reports it is noticed that in the flood a huge number of wood was flowing along. Prima facie it appears that there has been illegal felling of trees. Thus issue notice to respondents,” the CJI said. The states have been asked to file their replies within three weeks.
CJI highlights flood reports
Highlighting reports from Himachal Pradesh, the CJI said, “Media reports have shown huge numbers of timber logs being washed down during the floods. This is a very serious matter.” He added, “We are also seeing images from Punjab where entire villages and farmlands have been destroyed. A balance between development and environment is essential.” The bench granted advocates Akash Vashishtha and Shubham Upadhyay, appearing for petitioner Anamika Rana, to serve the notice and the copy of the petition at the central agency.
The CJI during the hearing asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who was present in the court in connection with another case, to take note of the grim situation and ensure remedial steps. “Please take note of this. It appears to be a serious issue. A large number of wooden logs are seen to be falling around… it shows illegal felling of trees. We have seen pictures of Punjab. Entire fields and crops are inundated…Development has to be balanced with mitigating measures,” the CJI said.
What did Solicitor General say?
Meanwhile, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta also voiced concern, stating, “We have interfered with nature so much that nature is giving back now…I will speak to the secretary of the environment ministry today itself and he will speak to the chief secretaries (of the states),” the law officer said. Such situations cannot be permitted, Mehta added.
Petition highlights near-death situations amid floods
The petitioner’s counsel said there are instances of people being trapped in tunnels and on the verge of “near-death situations”. The CJI said he noticed the seriousness of the issue and posted the matter after two weeks. The plea, filed through lawyer Akash Vashishta, has sought framing of an action plan and an SIT inquiry into the reasons of landslides and flash floods besides the measures to ensure that such disasters do not recur.
“The Central and state governments, in spite of having dedicated Disaster Authorities, have no plan in place to prevent or mitigate the losses due to these disasters whose frequency has increased alarmingly of late,” it said. It said the ministries of Environment, Forests and Climate Change and Jal Shakti have failed in their duty to protect the “pristine Ecology and the Rivers of the Himalayan region from degradation”. “The Petition is being filed bona fide in the larger public interest to ensure and to uphold the Constitutional Right to Life (Article 21) and access to justice of the residents of these Himalayan States,” it said.
Raveena Kumari