SC seeks Centre, states’ response on J&K, Himachal, Uttarakhand floods; flags illegal tree felling

Taking note of devastating landslides and floods in J&K, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, the Supreme Court on Thursday sought responses from the Centre, NDMA and state governments.

A bench of Chief Justice of India BR Gavai and justice Vinod Chandran also flagged recent reports of many cut wooden logs floating in flooding areas of Himachal Pradesh. The CJI verbally observed "we have seen unprecedented landslides and floods in Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Punjab. From the media reports, it is noticed that in the flood, a huge amount of wood was flowing along. Prima facie, it appears that there has been illegal felling of trees".

The bench urged the Centre to treat the matter seriously. "Please take note of this. It appears to be a serious issue. Large number of wooden logs were seen to be falling around and it shows illegal felling of trees. We have seen pictures of Punjab ... entire fields and crops are inundated. Development has to be balanced with mitigating measures," CJI Gavai verbally told solicitor general Tushar Mehta.

Mehta assured that the matter is being treated with due seriousness and he would speak to the secretary of the environment ministry. "We have interfered with nature so much that nature is giving back now. I will speak to the secretary of the environment ministry, and he will speak to chief secretaries. It cannot be permitted," Mehta said.