Gangtok, Sep 19 The Sikkim High Court has initiated a suo motu Public Interest Litigation (PIL) on climate justice in the state and sought public views on the matter, taking note of the severe hardship and impact of recent flash floods in neighbouring Nepal.
Climate justice refers to putting equity and human rights at the core of decision-making and action on climate change.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice A Muhamed Mustaque and Justice Bhaskar Raj Pradhan said it was imperative to hear the public and potentially affected local communities and provide them an accessible platform to voice their concerns.
"This Suo Motu Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been initiated by this Court taking note of the severe hardship and impact of the recent flash floods in neighbouring Nepal," the court said in its order on September 17.
The flash floods in Nepal left 1,410 people dead on Thursday, with over 6,100 people still missing, according to the country's disaster management authorities.
Flash floods, triggered by an ice-rock avalanche near the Nepal-Tibet border on August 26, devastated towns and villages in northern and central Nepal.
The bench directed the High Court Registry to forward the proceedings to local print and digital media outlets to raise public awareness and invite opinions and suggestions. Submissions can be routed through the Sikkim State Legal Services Authority (SSLSA) or submitted directly to the Registrar of the High Court, it said.
The court appointed advocate Sudhir Mishra, along with senior advocates Dr Doma T Bhutia and TR Barfungpa, as amici curiae to assist it in the matter. The SSLSA has also been directed to assist them in gathering local inputs and information from various regions.
The Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority (SSDMA), Power Department of the Sikkim government, Ministry of Railways and National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (NHIDCL) are respondents.
The matter will be heard again on October 6.
