In response to concerns over frequent landslides and environmental degradation in Himalayan hill towns and cities, the Indian government has put forth a plan to create a 13-member technical committee. This committee's primary task will be to assess the "carrying capacity" of 13 Himalayan States, determining the maximum population size these regions can sustain without harming the ecosystem.
The Supreme Court, prompted by the aforementioned challenges, initiated discussions about re-evaluating the load-carrying capacity of these hilly areas. The Environment Ministry, represented by Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, emphasized the need for a comprehensive assessment involving local authorities from various disciplines.
The Union government revealed that it had already issued guidelines in January 2020 to the 13 Himalayan States for evaluating the carrying capacity of their hill stations, cities, and eco-sensitive zones. As of May 19, 2023, a reminder was sent to all states urging them to expedite the study and submit their action plans promptly.
In its affidavit, the government urged the Supreme Court to intervene and ensure that the Himalayan States submit their action-taken reports and action plans within a specified timeframe. They emphasized the importance of gathering detailed and extensive information to accurately assess the carrying capacity of each hill station, following guidelines provided by the GB Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment.
The government proposed that the 13 Himalayan States establish committees headed by their respective Chief Secretaries to collect data on the load-carrying capacity of their regions. Additionally, they suggested the formation of a 13-member technical committee led by the Director of the GB Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment to evaluate the information gathered. Experts from various fields, including hydrology, remote sensing, Himalayan geology, forestry, wildlife, architecture, disaster management, pollution control, and groundwater protection, would be part of this committee.
In August, Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud's Bench recommended the establishment of an expert committee to conduct a comprehensive study on the carrying capacity of the Himalayan region in India. This initiative is regarded as crucial due to the adverse impacts of unplanned development in recent times, emphasizing the significance of addressing this important issue.