NEW DELHI – The Supreme Court on Thursday, September 4, 2025, raised a serious concern about widespread illegal logging in the Himalayas, citing repeated flash floods and huge numbers of tree logs seen flowing in swollen rivers. The court warned that if the situation continues, India will be left with “no forests.”
A bench comprising Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai and Justice Vinod Chandran voiced deep anguish over the recent floods in Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, and Punjab. The court highlighted media visuals of countless logs being swept away by floodwaters, suggesting that illegal felling of trees in the ecologically fragile Himalayan forests is rampant amidst the natural disasters.
“This is a very serious issue. Logs are seen flowing with the floodwaters. If this goes on, we will not have any forests left,” Chief Justice Gavai said. “In Punjab, entire villages are inundated. Development is needed, but not at the cost of the environment and lives.”
The court called on Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who was present for another case, to intervene. Mehta agreed with the court’s assessment, stating, “This just cannot be,” and committed to speaking with the Environment Secretary immediately. The Secretary is expected to contact the Chief Secretaries of the affected states to address the matter.
Court Issues Notice to NHAI
The court also issued a notice to the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) after a petitioner, Anamika Rana, pointed out that 14 tunnels between Chandigarh and Manali become death traps during floods. According to the petitioner’s counsel, Akash Vashishtha, at least 300 people were recently stranded inside a tunnel during the floods.
Chief Justice Gavai addressed the counsel, stating, “Therefore, we have issued notice to the NHAI.”
‘Payback from Nature’
During the proceedings, Solicitor General Mehta remarked that the natural disasters were “payback from nature.”
“We are interfering with nature so much that nature is giving back,” he said.
The Chief Justice reiterated the court’s serious concern over the recurring landslides and floods in these sensitive areas. The case is scheduled to be heard again in two weeks.
The petition, filed by Anamika Rana, seeks the immediate intervention of the Supreme Court to create action plans, establish a Special Investigation Team, and conduct thorough geological and ecological investigations to prevent future disasters and protect the fragile Himalayan ecosystem. The petition also claims that both Central and State governments have failed to implement adequate plans to prevent or mitigate disaster-related losses and have disregarded guidelines for hill roads, contributing to the increasing frequency of these disasters.