Uttarakhand's Geological Peril: Court Intervenes in Construction Controversy

The Uttarakhand High Court has demanded that the state government address grave concerns over unregulated construction in Mussoorie and Doon Valley. The court responded to a plea highlighting the increased risks of landslides and ecological damage.

A division bench led by Chief Justice Manoj Kumar Gupta took up the matter following an application from environmentalist Reenu Paul. The plea outlines substantial geological vulnerabilities due to construction on sensitive slopes, citing evidence such as satellite imagery and official reports.

The petition notes that fault lines have been identified in the Dehradun master plan for the first time, warning of the dangers posed by informal settlements. The court previously ordered action against unauthorized construction, but problems persist.