The Himachal Pradesh High Court has taken suo motu notice of the damage being caused to fragile and eco-sensitive areas in the state. The court expressed serious concern over unchecked road construction and rising tourism in high-altitude regions.
A Division Bench of Chief Justice G.S. Sandhawalia and Justice Bipin C. Negi initiated a suo motu Public Interest Litigation (PIL) while examining the impact of increasing vehicular movement in environmentally sensitive areas.
The court observed that forest clearances for road projects were opening up remote and previously uninhabited areas to vehicles and tourists. It said this was increasing tourist pressure and putting additional stress on the local environment.
The Bench referred to places such as Chandertal Lake, Shikari Devi Temple and Churdhar Temple. It noted that easier vehicle access to these locations could result in tree cutting and further damage to the surrounding environment.
The court also raised questions about overnight camping near Chandertal Lake. It sought details from the Forest Department on how human waste and plastic left behind by tourists were being managed. The Bench also asked whether mobile toilets and other waste disposal facilities were available.
As an interim step, the High Court ordered that all pending proposals for forest clearance for new roads, as well as the tarring of existing roads leading to the identified areas, should remain on hold.
The court has made the Himachal Pradesh government, through the Principal Secretary (Forests), the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and the Himachal Pradesh Pollution Control Board, parties to the case. Notices have also been issued to the concerned authorities.
The case will come up for further hearing on September 28, 2026.
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