Ekiti approves ₦3bn for new High Court complex

The Himachal Pradesh High Court has put a hold on all proposals for forest clearance to construct or pave roads in ecologically sensitive regions. The court, in a recent ruling, expressed concern that improved access through roads was leading to increased tourism, environmental damage and deforestation in such areas. Chief Justice Gurmeet Singh Sandhawalia led a Division Bench, which took suo motu notice of the issue and filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) on August 17.

The court specifically directed that any project seeking forest clearance for new road construction or resurfacing in vulnerable sites must be put on hold. The Bench highlighted Chandertal Lake, Shikari Devi Mandir and Churdhar Temple as examples of sites that have become susceptible to environmental degradation and tree loss due to better road access.

The court emphasized that allowing roads in these sensitive areas exacerbates environmental harm. The High Court also raised worries over overnight camping near Chandertal Lake and questioned waste management plans for tourists. The court requested that the state government, represented by the Principal Secretary (Forests), Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and the Himachal Pradesh Pollution Control Board, respond to the matter.

The court's decision comes amid a June 24 notification by the state government that permits processing of 2,183 pending road projects on forest land. This new process uses the Forest Rights Act, 2006, instead of the stricter former Forest Conservation Act, 1980. However, the High Court's intervention now demands stricter oversight of road projects opening up remote forests and tourist spots, especially where higher visitation could cause more waste and stress on delicate ecosystems.