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Why the Supreme Court Fears Himachal’s Disappearance – Decoding Exam Relevance

The Supreme Court’s stark warning that Himachal Pradesh could “vanish” due to environmental collapse is a critical current affair for competitive exams. This case interlinks climate change, policy failures, and legal interventions—core themes in UPSC/PSC syllabi. Understanding this crisis is non-negotiable for aspirants tackling environmental governance questions.

The Crisis Unfolded
During a recent hearing, the Supreme Court voiced grave concerns: “The day isn’t far when Himachal Pradesh vanishes.” Triggered by a challenge against construction restrictions in green zones, the bench highlighted:
Climate Change Impacts: Rising global temperatures intensify cloudbursts and flash floods. Each 1°C increase allows the atmosphere to hold 7% more moisture, causing erratic monsoons like the 2023 disaster (₹1,539 crore loss, 94 lives).

Human-Made Stressors:
Rampant tourism straining resources and ecology.
Hydropower projects triggering water scarcity, landslides, and structural damage.
Deforestation and reckless construction (4-lane roads, tunnels, high-rises).
Legal Intervention: The Court registered a PIL, demanding Himachal’s response within 4 weeks and urging all Himalayan states to align development with environmental safeguards.

Hidden Exam Gems
GLOFs (Glacial Lake Outburst Floods): Rapid glacier melt forms unstable lakes; breaches cause catastrophic flooding—common in Himalayan states.
Judicial Precedents: Recall cases like MC Mehta vs Union of India (1985), where courts enforced “Sustainable Development” as a constitutional mandate.
Science Behind Disasters: ISRO and IITs are now studying Himachal’s vulnerability, linking global warming to localized weather extremes.

Why This Matters for Exams:
Prelims Focus:
Directly tied to “Current Events of National Importance.”
Expect MCQs on GLOFs, disaster stats (e.g., 2023 Himachal losses), and climate terminologies (e.g., cloudburst mechanics).

Mains Relevance (GS-III):
Environmental Degradation: Use Himachal as a case study for “conservation challenges” – discuss tourism, infrastructure, and policy loopholes.
Disaster Management: Analyze how hydropower projects exacerbate landslides (as noted by the SC).
Climate Justice: Debate “development vs. environment” using SC’s remark: “Union of India owes an obligation to prevent ecological imbalance.”

Ethics & Interviews:
Questions on ethical governance: Should states prioritize revenue over ecology?
Discuss solutions: Eco-tourism models, stricter EIA compliance, or cross-state collaboration (as directed by SC).

Key Takeaways for Answers:
“Highlight the SC’s proactive role in enforcing Article 21 (Right to Life) via environmental protection. Connect Himachal’s crisis to broader Himalayan vulnerabilities—cite Uttarakhand floods (2013) or Sikkim GLOF (2023).”