Shimla, Aug. 20 -- The Himachal Pradesh High Court has taken suo motu cognisance of environmental degradation in fragile and eco-sensitive areas of the state, expressing serious concern over indiscriminate road construction and uncontrolled tourism in high-altitude regions.

A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice G.S. Sandhawalia and Justice Bipin C. Negi initiated a suo motu Public Interest Litigation (PIL) while examining the environmental impact of increasing vehicular access to ecologically vulnerable areas.

The court observed that permissions granted under the Forest Conservation Act for road construction were facilitating access to previously remote and unpopulated eco-sensitive zones, resulting in increased tourist footfall and...