Supreme Court panel suggests capacity study for tourism hubs in Himachal, more scrutiny of highway expansions

The Supreme Court's Central Empowered Committee (CEC) has issued recommendations aimed at safeguarding Himachal Pradesh's environment and ecology. These measures range from assessing tourist destinations' carrying capacities to ensuring environmental clearances for highway and railway expansions. The CEC's report, which examined the impacts of tourism development, hydroelectric projects, compensatory afforestation, roads, and multi-storey buildings, highlights the need to move away from a "permission-based" approach and towards a more scientifically grounded, risk-sensitive planning system.

Some key findings include a 10% shortfall in compensatory afforestation since 1980-81, landslides caused by engineering failures, and hazardous excavation practices on slopes. The committee also noted repeated damage to national highways, particularly on the Kiratpur-Manali corridor, where Rs 825 crore has been allocated for restoration and stabilization following geological assessments that identified 44 critical landslide and erosion-prone areas.

One of the most significant recommendations is for the Environment Ministry to review exemptions from environmental clearance for specific highway expansion projects. Additionally, the CEC urges an immediate evaluation of carrying capacities at major tourist sites, including roads, parking areas, waste management systems, and ecological sensitivity.

The committee called for temporary restrictions in areas experiencing severe congestion or environmental stress and requested a review of tourism-related construction projects along the Shimla-Kasauli highway, which involves significant hill cutting and natural terrain alterations. The panel further advised the withdrawal of all requests for proposals for ecotourism operator selections on forest land and suggested that concession agreements already granted should be kept on hold for further examination by the Union Environment Ministry.