Himachal Pradesh High Court: The Division Bench of Ramachandra Rao, CJ., and Satyen Vaidya, J., noted the Action Plan Report indicating some of the proactive and mitigative steps taken by the State, opined that much more was needed to be done. Thus, the Court directed the respondents-State to file a status report regarding the extent to which the directions of the Chief Secretary, Himachal Pradesh given to all the Deputy Commissioners and Departments in the State were implemented, on the next date of hearing.
The Court noted the Minutes of Meeting held on 29-03-2023, by the Chief Secretary, Himachal Pradesh, wherein certain directions were issued to the various Authorities in relation to fire safety in forest and water harvesting in rural and forest areas. Further, the Court also noted the Action Plan Report indicating some of the proactive and mitigative steps taken by the State, opined that much more was needed to be done. Thus, the Court directed the respondents to file a status report regarding the extent to which the directions of the Chief Secretary, Himachal Pradesh given to all the Deputy Commissioners and Departments in the State were implemented, on the next date of hearing.
The Court further stated that the respondents were expected to take all possible measures to ensure that forest fire are prevented and if not prevented, at least controlled and damage to the forest ecology or property of the citizens was kept at a minimum.
The matter would next be listed on 25-06-2024.
[Court on its own motion v. State of H.P., 2024 SCC OnLine HP 2077, Order dated 29-05-2024]
Advocates who appeared in this case :
Amicus Curiae: Shrawan Dogra, Senior Advocate with Manik Sethi, Advocate.
For the Petitioner: Lalita Sharma, Advocate vice Anil Kumar, Advocate.
For the Respondent: Anup Rattan, Advocate General with Rakesh Dhaulta, Additional Advocate General; Maan Singh, Advocate; Balram Sharma, Deputy Solicitor General of India.