Context: The Supreme Court on expressed its displeasure over the steps taken by the Uttarakhand government in controlling forest fires, calling the state’s approach "lackadaisical.”.

About

• The stay was based on a special leave petition raising a question of law whether “single window” clearances could replace prior environmental clearances which were mandatory before commencement of huge constructions in ecologically fragile Uttarakhand.

• The petition sought a bar on the commencement of commercial projects in the State without the requisite permission under law and comprehensive Environment Impact Assessment (EIA).

• An EIA notification of 2006, clearly stated that “prior environmental clearance is required before any construction work starts as opposed to an ex-post facto approval”.

Fragile Ecology of Uttrakhand

• Most part of Uttarakhand is covered by Himalayan peaks and glaciers. The Himalayas are young fold mountains, formed a few million years ago. 

• Tectonic activities like thrusts, faults and plate collisions are very common here, making the region very unstable and sensitive. 

• As per a report, submitted in the Parliament in 2016, Uttarakhand has the highest number of unstable zones among north Himalayan state Himachal Pradesh and Union Territory Jammu & Kashmir. 

• The adverse geological setting makes the state highly susceptible to intense seismic shaking (earthquakes) and landslides.

Concerns

• Tourism: The state’s economy is majorly based on tourism. The number of people visiting the state as tourists is huge.

• To cater to tourists, deforestation, mindless construction of hotels and lodges on river edges, widening of narrow lanes is happening on a large scale. 

• These activities are cutting right into the toes of the delicate slopes of the state, thereby adding to the destabilizing process and exposing the state to nature’s fury.

• Climate Change: As a result of climate change, the rate of melting of Himalayan snow has accelerated significantly since the beginning of the 21st century, leading to weakening of glaciers and increasing the water level in various river systems.

• Infrastructure Development: The mountainous terrain presents challenges for infrastructure development, which is crucial for economic growth.

• Poor roads, inadequate connectivity, and limited access to basic services hinder business activities and discourage investment.

• Unemployment and Migration: The state grapples with unemployment issues, particularly among the youth.

• Limited job opportunities often lead to migration to urban areas, resulting in a drain of talent and resources from rural areas.

• Environmental Concerns: Uttarakhand’s fragile ecosystem faces threats from deforestation, unsustainable development practices, and natural disasters like landslides and floods.

• Balancing economic growth with environmental conservation is a critical challenge.

Suggestions

• Ecological Corridors: Identify and preserve ecological corridors and wildlife habitats to maintain biodiversity and facilitate the movement of wildlife across the landscape.

• Sustainable Tourism Development: Develop eco-friendly accommodation options, promote responsible tourism behavior, and establish protected areas and nature reserves.

• Renewable Energy Integration: Promote the adoption of renewable energy technologies such as solar, wind, and small-scale hydropower to meet energy needs sustainably while minimizing the impact on the environment and local ecosystems.

• Rural Infrastructure Development: Focus on improving infrastructure in rural areas to support sustainable livelihoods, agriculture, and community development. 

• Disaster Resilience Planning: Integrate disaster resilience into infrastructure planning and design to minimize the impact of natural disasters such as floods, landslides, and earthquakes.

• Community Engagement and Capacity Building: Engage local communities in infrastructure planning, decision-making, and implementation to ensure that projects align with their needs, priorities, and traditional knowledge.