'Much More Needs To Be Done': Himachal Pradesh High Court Asks Govt To Control Forest Fires, Minimise Damage To Ecology And Property
The Himachal Pradesh High Court has directed the state government to intensify efforts to prevent and control forest fires, emphasising the need to minimise damage to forest ecology and property.The court directed,“Respondents are expected to take all possible measures to ensure that forest fire are prevented and if not prevented at least controlled and damage to the forest ecology or...
The Himachal Pradesh High Court has directed the state government to intensify efforts to prevent and control forest fires, emphasising the need to minimise damage to forest ecology and property.
The court directed,
“Respondents are expected to take all possible measures to ensure that forest fire are prevented and if not prevented at least controlled and damage to the forest ecology or property of the citizens is kept at a minimum”.
A bench led by Chief Justice M.S. Ramachandra Rao and Justice Satyen Vaidya passed these directions in a suo motu PIL initiated to address the ongoing environmental concerns.
Court scrutinised the minutes of a meeting held on March 29, 2023, chaired by the Chief Secretary of Himachal Pradesh, which included specific instructions to various authorities on forest fire safety and water harvesting in rural and forest areas.
Acknowledging the Action Taken Report, the court urged the state to do more in this direction and asked it to file a status report as to the extent to which the directions of the Chief Secretary are implemented on the next date.
The matter has been listed again on June 25th 2024 for further review.
Case Title: Court on its own motion Vs. State of H.P. and Ors. a/w connected matter