SC Expresses Concern About Floods in Himalayan States; Observes There's Illegal Felling of Trees

The Supreme Court on Thursday raised alarm over the scale of destruction caused by recent floods and landslides in the Himalayan states, remarking that illegal felling of trees may have worsened the disaster.

- BHAVANI SUNDARAM

A bench headed by Chief Justice of India B R Gavai, with Justice K Vinod Chandran, referred to disturbing visuals from Himachal Pradesh showing timber logs tumbling down with the floodwaters. "Prima facie, it appears there has been rampant cutting of trees in the hills," the bench said, terming the situation a matter of "grave concern."

COURT PULLS UP AUTHORITIES

The bench issued formal notices to the Union ministries of Environment and Jal Shakti, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), and the state governments of Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Jammu and Kashmir. The matter will be heard again in two weeks.