The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has taken suo motu cognisance of media reports highlighting the environmental risks posed by unstable hanging glaciers in the central Himalayas. The principal bench, chaired by Justice Prakash Shrivastava and expert member Afroz Ahmad, noted on Friday that a recent study identified 219 hanging glaciers in Uttarakhand's Alaknanda basin, a key headstream region of the Ganga. The study warned that unstable glaciers on steep slopes could trigger destructive avalanches and downstream disasters. The matter has been scheduled for a hearing on August 6.
Study Details and Risks
The Times of India was among the first to report on these risks. The reports referenced research published in Nature's 'Natural Hazards' journal, with contributions from the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru; the Indian Institute of Technology, Bhubaneswar; and the Defence Research and Development Organisation. The study highlighted increasing risks due to glacier retreat, seismic sensitivity, and the rapid expansion of human settlements and infrastructure in vulnerable high-altitude regions such as Badrinath, Mana, and Hanuman Chatti.
The tribunal noted that researchers used satellite imagery, elevation models, and avalanche simulations to estimate the farthest reach of potential ice avalanches and their likely impact. It also noted findings that built-up areas within vulnerable zones have expanded sharply, from about 8,000 square meters in 2000 to over 150,000 square meters projected by 2030, with the Badrinath-Mana stretch showing particularly significant growth.
Environmental Violations and Tribunal Action
The tribunal reproduced central findings from the report, including that glacier retreat has caused tributary glaciers to detach from trunk glaciers and destabilised mountain-side glaciers that were previously stable. It noted that such instability is often expressed through snow or ice avalanches, a process typical of hanging glaciers, but one that becomes hazardous when it occurs near settlements or infrastructure in a basin marked by high seismicity. Holding that the news reports indicated a violation of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, and raised substantial issues relating to compliance with environmental norms and implementation of scheduled enactments, the NGT invoked the Supreme Court ruling in Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai vs. Ankita Sinha to affirm its power to act suo motu.
Respondents and Next Steps
The NGT impleaded six respondents: the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Dehradun; the Central Pollution Control Board; the Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board; the National Mission for Clean Ganga; the Uttarakhand Urban Development Department; and the National Institute of Hydrology, Roorkee. It issued notices directing them to file replies by affidavit at least one week before the next hearing.
