The Uttarakhand High Court directed the District Magistrate, Nainital, to file affidavit regarding steps taken to arrest landslide and soil erosion at Baliya Nala in the last two years.
The Division Bench of Chief Justice Vipin Sanghi and Justice Rakesh Thapliyal heard a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) pending since 2018, raising a very serious issue with regard to the massive landslide which takes place at Baliya Nala, practically, every year.
The Baliya Nala is situated at a strategic location, inasmuch as, further landslide and soil erosion of the said Baliya Nala can endanger the Nainital lake, as well as the town itself, if the landslide and soil erosion is not seized by taking effective steps for the said purpose.
From the record , the Bench noted that the respondent has formed a High Powered Committee, and has also allocated funds for taking effective steps to prevent landslide and soil erosion in Baliya Nala. However, when one drives between Haldwani and Nainital, there is not much to see in respect of the actual steps taken on the ground to arrest landslide and soil erosion at Baliya Nala.
Since the matter is being taken up after a substantial length of time, the Bench directed the State to file the latest status report with regard to the actual steps taken on the ground to arrest landslide and soil erosion at Baliya Nala.
“The District Magistrate, Nainital, is directed to file her own affidavit in this regard chronologically setting up the actual steps taken on the ground, and not merely on the record, to arrest landslide and soil erosion at Baliya Nala in the last two years”, the Bench ordered .
Matter is listed on 18.09.2023 for further order.