“Has possibility of creating artificial rain by cloud-seeding been considered by the State Government?” Uttarakhand HC demands a Detailed Report

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In pursuance of an earlier order, the Uttarakhand High Court on Wednesday directed the Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (HoFF), Uttarakhand to file a detailed report as to what action have been taken by the State Government ensuing the direction issued by the Court to consider the possibility of creating artificial rain by cloud-seeding among others.

The Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Sri Raghvendra Singh Chauhan and Justice Alok Kumar Verma observed,

“In compliance of the order dated 07.04.2021, passed by this Court, two affidavits have been filed…..However, a bare perusal of both the affidavits clearly reveal that there is no indication whether the directions issued by this Court, have been complied with or not?”

In the abovesaid order, the High Court issued certain directions stating:

- State Government to consider the possibility of creating artificial rain by cloud-seeding.

- State Government to consider the possibility of equipping the State Disaster Response Force with necessary gadgets and equipment, including Helicopters and other aerial equipment

- State Government to give sufficient funds to the Forest Department in order to buy the necessary equipments and to create physical infrastructure for fighting the forest fire which happens to be an annual phenomenon in the State.

- State Government to ensure that sufficient fund is given to the Forest Department so that the vacancies can be filled up.

However, in the present order, the Court has strongly highlighted that the affidavit filed by HoFF, Uttarakhand, and the Deputy Secretary of the Forest Department, Uttarakhand in pursuance of the said order severely failed to mention anything regarding the above-mentioned directions by the High Court.

The Bench has directed the HoFF to file the detailed report by August 31, 2021. The matter will be next heard on September 8th.

The Backdrop of the Case

On 30th May 2018, a Division Bench of the High Court directed for the instruction being furnished from the Union and State Governments relating to then-current position and steps being taken regarding the issue of forest fire occurring often in the State of Uttarakhand.

Subsequently, the aforementioned order dated 7th April 2021 was passed by the High Court issuing the directions to the State and Union Governments.

During the proceeding, the Court was informed that annually from March till June, the State is prone to forest fires. By April 2021, 52 incidents had occurred ranging from District Nainital to District Champawat to District Udham Singh Nagar of the State. Between October 2020 till March 2021, there were about 852 incidents of forest fires, which have adversely affected 1012 hectares of land.

(Case Title : In Re, “Protection of Forest Area, Forest Wealth and Wild Life due to devastation from the extensive forest fires in the State of Uttarakhand” vs. State of Uttarakhand and others)