High Court Puts Roads to Eco-Sensitive Himachal Sites Under Scrutiny
Court stays new forest clearances for roads to fragile areas; flags Chandertal, Churdhar and Shikari Devi over environmental damage
Shimla, August 19: The Himachal Pradesh High Court has raised a strong red flag over the opening up of ecologically fragile areas through motorable roads, warning that improved road access to pristine sites without local habitation could accelerate environmental degradation, tree felling and unregulated tourism.
Taking suo motu cognizance of the issue, a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice G.S. Sandhawalia and Justice Bipin C. Negi has registered a Public Interest Litigation and issued notices to the State Government, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Himachal Pradesh Pollution Control Board.
The Court specifically cited Chandertal Lake, Shikari Devi Mandir and Churdhar Temple as examples of fragile areas where motorable road access has increased vulnerability to environmental damage.
The Bench observed that constructing roads with high tourist footfall to areas where there is no local population requires serious examination, particularly when such projects involve forest clearances under the Forest Conservation Act.
Court questions Chandertal camping and waste disposal
The Court has also expressed concern over permission for overnight camping around the lakes of Chandertal, questioning how human waste, plastic and other garbage generated by tourists are being managed.
The Bench sought clarity on whether adequate facilities such as mobile toilets exist at the site and whether there is a proper mechanism for collecting and disposing of plastic and other waste generated by overnight visitors.
The observations assume significance as Chandertal has emerged as a major tourist attraction, bringing increasing vehicular movement and tourist pressure into a highly fragile high-altitude ecosystem.
New road clearances to be kept in abeyance
In a significant direction, the High Court has ordered that any proposals for forest clearance relating to construction of new roads to the sites in question, or tarring of existing roads, shall be kept in abeyance.
The direction could have wider implications for road expansion and connectivity projects proposed in ecologically sensitive parts of Himachal Pradesh.
The Court's intervention also puts the spotlight on the growing tension between promoting tourism access and protecting fragile mountain ecosystems, particularly in areas where increased vehicular traffic can lead to tree cutting, waste generation, soil disturbance and unregulated construction.
The State Government, Forest Department and Pollution Control Board have been asked to respond to the issues raised by the Court.
The matter has been listed for further hearing on September 28, 2026.
The proceedings could potentially lead to closer scrutiny of the environmental implications of road construction and tourism infrastructure in Himachal's high-altitude and forested areas.
