The Sikkim High Court has called for urgent steps to install early warning systems across 40 high-risk glacial lakes in the State, warning that preparedness is essential to prevent another devastating glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF).
A Division Bench of Chief Justice A Muhamed Mustaque and Justice Bhaskar Raj Pradhan made the appeal in the ongoing case, Re: Climatic Justice in the State of Sikkim, while highlighting the need to avoid a repeat of the catastrophic flooding triggered by South Lhonak Lake in October 2023.
The Bench noted that Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Bhutan had already introduced early warning mechanisms to tackle GLOF risks. It urged both the State and Central governments to move swiftly on procuring and installing similar systems.
The Court observed that the October 2023 disaster should serve as a warning against delays in putting essential safeguards in place.
South Lhonak disaster remains a grim reminder
The glacial lake outburst at South Lhonak Lake in North Sikkim unleashed massive flooding along the Teesta River. The disaster damaged the Chungthang dam, swept away bridges and sections of National Highway 10, and caused extensive destruction across four districts.
Several people lost their lives in the calamity.
Against this backdrop, the High Court, through its November 5 order, sought details from the State government on the measures being taken to address the risks posed by the 40 identified glacial lakes.
The Bench also asked the government to examine a proposal for appointing five nodal officers to oversee the monitoring and management of these lakes.
Five officers proposed for coordinated monitoring
The proposal was placed before the Court by amicus curiae Advocate Sudhir Mishra.
Under the suggested arrangement, one senior nodal officer would be appointed within the Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority (SSDMA), supported by four additional officers. Each of the four officers would be responsible for monitoring ten glacial lakes.
The proposed team would coordinate early warning measures, disaster preparedness, glacial movement monitoring and the collection of relevant information from various government departments.
The Court sought the State’s response on the proposal as part of its broader examination of disaster preparedness in the Himalayan region.
Climate change threatens Sikkim’s black cardamom economy
The Bench also turned its attention to another growing concern: the impact of climate change on black cardamom cultivation in Sikkim.
Referring to a report published by The Economic Times on October 11, the Court noted the deteriorating condition of black cardamom plantations in the State.
Changing weather patterns, warmer winters and erratic rainfall have reportedly increased the vulnerability of crops to diseases. The decline has also raised concerns over the livelihood of rural households that depend heavily on black cardamom cultivation.
The Court sought information from the State government on the steps being taken under the ‘Mero Alaichi, Mero Dhan’ (My Cardamom, My Wealth) initiative, which aims to revive the crop.
The Bench stressed that climate change was likely to create several interconnected challenges and that these needed to be addressed with urgency.
Matter listed for November 18
The High Court will take up the matter again on November 18, when the State government’s response on the glacial lake safety measures and black cardamom revival programme is expected to be considered.
The proceedings bring together two pressing concerns for Sikkim: the growing threat of climate-related disasters in the Himalayan landscape and the economic vulnerability of communities dependent on climate-sensitive agriculture.