Will You Write Off Loans Of Wayanad Landslide Victims? High Court Asks Centre, Calls For "Carrying Capacity Assessment" Of Hills To Limit Tourists

“The State Government may issue immediate directions in this regard to the respective District administrations in the State within whose territorial and jurisdictional limits the various hill stations of tourist importance are situated, and obtain the necessary data/details/statistics from them. The District Administrations concerned must revert to the State Government with the necessary data/details/statistics within three weeks from the receipt of orders from the State Government, and a consolidated report pertaining to all the hill stations in the State shall be furnished before this Court by the State Government through an affidavit filed on its behalf on or before 25th October, 2024.”

The Court stated that the majority of hill stations are prominent tourist locations in the State. It stated that overcrowding of tourists and unscientific infrastructure constructions is a threat to hill stations. The Court stated that overcrowding of tourists affects the lives of residents living in such areas.

“Diversion of water and electricity to tourist facilities during the peak season, heavy traffic making commute to basic facilities difficult, littering, waste generation, haphazard parking, etc. creates local resentment. Tourists also face innumerable problems like being stuck on roads for hours, lack of to quality and hygienic food and water, toilets, long queues, less parking, access time spent in popular destinations depriving a satisfactory experience, leading to a situation that is no-win for all stakeholders.”

The Court also issued directions to deal with psychological issues and mental trauma inflicted upon the children in Wayanad, due to the landslides. It issued the following directions based on the report submitted by Senior Advocate Ranjith Thampan (Amicus Curiae):

-Child Welfare Committee under the State Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights as well as the Kerala State Mental Health Authority (KSMHA), Health and Medical Education departments to take effective steps to mitigate the trauma inflicted on persons, especially children in Wayanad.

-Mental Health Review Board to provide clinical psychological support.

-Kerala State Legal Services Authority and the District Legal Service Authority to report about the possibility of providing psychological assistance to landslide victims.

The matter has been posted for further hearing on September 13.

Case Title: IN RE: PREVENTION AND MANAGEMENT OF NATURAL DISASTERS IN KERALA v STATE OF KERALA

Case Number: WP(C) 28509/ 2024 & Connected Cases