Home / Environment / Uttarakhand Court Tackles Illegal Hillsides
Uttarakhand Court Tackles Illegal Hillsides
23 Apr
Summary
- Court seeks government reply on illegal Mussoorie constructions.
- Illegal building on slopes over 30 degrees violates bylaws.
- Dehradun Master Plan 2024 restrictions are disregarded.
The Uttarakhand High Court has mandated that the state government submit a response within three weeks concerning an urgent public interest litigation about illegal construction in Mussoorie. This action follows an application flagging violations of bylaws and regulations, which was filed after the main PIL had not been listed since August 2024.
The application emphasizes that despite the court's previous directives for strict enforcement of the 2015 Amendments, illegal constructions persist. These amendments explicitly prohibit building on natural slopes steeper than 30 degrees, areas identified as having high landslide intensity.
Reports and scientific studies confirm that slopes over 30 degrees in the Himalayan foothills, particularly the Doon Valley region, are prone to landslides. The application cites the recent Dehradun Master Plan 2024, which identifies earthquake fault lines and prohibits construction nearby, yet multi-storied buildings are reportedly being approved without adherence.
