Verdicts In The Valleys: High Court Of Himachal Pradesh And Its Environmental Legacy
Ayushi Ghawri, LLM, Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla
“Everyone deserves a clean, healthy, sustainable and liveable environment.”
- Dr. Robert Bullard
ABSTRACT
This paper examines the environmental jurisprudence of the Himachal Pradesh High Court, situating its role within the broader constitutional framework of India. Through landmark judgments between 2010 and 2025, the Court has reinforced the fundamental right to a clean and healthy environment under Article 21, mandated strict compliance with environmental laws, and emphasized sustainable development. Case studies reveal judicial interventions in waste management, industrial regulation, biodiversity conservation, and heritage protection. The analysis highlights the Court’s proactive stance in addressing ecological degradation while underscoring the shared responsibility of state institutions and citizens in safeguarding the fragile Himalayan environment.
Keywords: Himachal Pradesh, Environment, Environment Protection, Environmental Laws, Constitution of India, High Court of Himachal Pradesh, Sustainable Development, Judicial Intervention.
