The Supreme Court has asked the Himachal Pradesh government to clarify whether it has a climate change policy apart from disaster management plans, given the state’s fragile mountain ecosystem. A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta said the latest monsoon season had caused unprecedented rainfall that “created havoc” across the region while causing severe losses to life, property and natural resources.

The court stressed that “evidently, the state of Himachal Pradesh and for that matter, all the states in the Himalayan region are facing a serious existential crisis.” The observations were made during a suo motu case on the ecological conditions in Himachal, which have been under increasing strain from extreme weather, large-scale infrastructure projects and growing tourism.

Court Seeks Full Climate Framework

Senior advocate K Parameshwar, acting as amicus curiae, submitted a detailed questionnaire seeking the state’s response on key ecological and regulatory concerns. The bench said the range of questions covered everything from zoning, forest cover, compensatory afforestation and disaster management plans to hydroelectric projects, mining, mass tourism and urban growth.

One of the most pressing questions raised was whether Himachal even has a dedicated climate change policy. “Does the state of Himachal Pradesh has a climate change policy? If yes, details/ copy of the same to be placed on record,” the court order stated. It also asked the government to reveal whether any studies had been conducted to assess the present and future threat of climate change to Himachal’s ecosystem.

The judges observed that the responses would be crucial in helping the court frame guidelines “to protect the citizens at large and the fragile ecological system in the state of Himachal Pradesh.” The state government has been asked to file its affidavit sworn by the principal secretary of the forest department no later than October 28.

Probing Hydropower, Roads and Mining

Several pointed queries were made regarding hydropower development, which has often been linked with landslides and river degradation in Himachal. The bench sought the total number of rivers in the state, a list of hydroelectric projects operating on each river with their date of commencement, and any study conducted on cumulative impacts. It also demanded updates on pending proposals for new projects.

The order directed the state to disclose exact figures on its transport network, particularly the number of highways that have been expanded into four lanes. Concerns around such large-scale road construction in hilly terrain have frequently been highlighted by environmental experts. Details of all mining operations, current leases, pending approvals, and the use of heavy machinery or explosives for mining or construction were also sought. The bench asked the state to submit relevant rules, notifications and circulars governing such activities.

The apex court emphasised that these disclosures were necessary since Himachal’s mountains are highly eco-sensitive and prone to landslides. It wanted to know the criteria based on which zoning is done in the state, whether it is guided by seismic activity, landslide zones, forest cover or eco-sensitivity.

Tourism, Urbanisation and Forest Health

Another major focus of the Supreme Court’s order was the growing tourism industry and its impact on the environment. Himachal has been asked to provide details of hotels, industrial units and short-term rentals permitted over the past decade, along with the measures put in place to regulate tourist inflow, particularly during the monsoon season. The court also sought data on prosecutions against illegal construction under the Himachal Pradesh Town and Country Planning Act, 1977.

On the question of forest cover, the bench directed the state to enumerate its total designated forest area, the portion diverted for non-forestry work over the last 20 years, and any surveys carried out to assess tree and green cover changes. “Has the state got conducted any tree survey and/or forest surveys and/or any other study to analyse the changes, if any, in the green cover in the state? If yes, detailed survey report to be placed on record,” the order said.

The court further asked for details of compensatory afforestation—including the number of trees planted by the state, public sector units and private players—over the past two decades. Allocation and utilisation of funds for disaster management in the same period also need to be disclosed.

By seeking such exhaustive answers, the Supreme Court has underlined the urgent need for states like Himachal to develop climate resilience strategies, while balancing growth with ecological sustainability in one of India’s most vulnerable mountain regions.