In light of the state's "fragile" ecological system, the Supreme Court on Tuesday ordered the government of Himachal Pradesh to confirm whether it had a "climate change policy" in addition to outlining its preparations for disaster management.
The current monsoon season has seen exceptional rain, "causing havoc" in the state's delicate ecology and causing severe damage to property and lives, according to a bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta.
"Evidently, the state of Himachal Pradesh and, for that matter, all the states in the Himalayan region are facing a serious existential crisis," it added.
A suo motu issue concerning the state's ecological and environmental problems was being heard by the bench.
The amicus curiae, senior lawyer K Parameshwar, identified a number of i