National: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has taken a significant step by initiating suo motu cognizance of the growing risk of landslides and disasters in the Darjeeling hills. This move comes after a newspaper article highlighted the region’s vulnerability to environmental degradation and the potential consequences of climate change.
The article, which prompted the NGT’s action, warned of a severe environmental crisis in the Darjeeling hills due to poor urban planning, climate change, and weak disaster management systems. The region’s fragile ecosystem has been further threatened by intense rainfall, which has resulted in widespread landslides and damage to infrastructure. The NGT noted that these issues suggest possible violations of the Environment Protection Act, the Disaster Management Act, and the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) norms.
Citing the Landslide Atlas of India (2023) by ISRO, the NGT observed that Darjeeling ranks among the 35 most landslide-prone districts in the country. The Tribunal also drew parallels with the October 2023 Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) in Sikkim, which caused significant damage and loss of life. These incidents point to a worrying pattern of Himalayan fragility that requires urgent government intervention.
The NGT has issued notices to five key institutions, including the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, West Bengal Pollution Control Board, G.B. Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), and Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology. These bodies have been directed to submit action-taken reports or future plans before the next hearing on December 22, 2025, at the Eastern Zonal Bench in Kolkata.
The NGT’s decision underscores the need for urgent action to address the environmental and security vulnerabilities of the Himalayas. The Tribunal’s intervention is expected to ensure that the government takes necessary steps to mitigate the impact of landslides and disasters in the region. With the next hearing scheduled for December 22, 2025, the NGT’s move is a significant step towards protecting the fragile ecosystem of the Darjeeling hills.
