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Revenue cannot be earned at the cost of Environment and Ecology: Supreme Court (SC) | Current Affairs | Vision IAS
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Revenue cannot be earned at the cost of Environment and Ecology: Supreme Court (SC)

Posted 02 Aug 2025

2 min read

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 disastersE.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.
  • Tags :
  • Himachal Pradesh’s Deteriorating Environment
  • Environmental Degradation Vs Development
  • Infrastructure Development
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