Wayanad landslides: Kerala High Court urges 'holistic approach' in development

In response to the devastating landslides in Wayanad, the Kerala High Court, during a suo-moto hearing on Friday, emphasized the importance of adopting a holistic approach to development in order to prevent such tragedies in the future.

The court appointed senior advocate Ranjith Thampan as amicus curiae, tasking him with reviewing current environmental policies and recommending new ones.

The court noted that the landslide serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of disrupting the natural balance of the environment. "When resources are extracted from nature, it disturbs the ecological equilibrium. A landslide is a clear example of this. The creation of voids in the landscape leads to such incidents. A comprehensive approach is essential to consider the social, economic, and ecological impacts of development activities," the court stated.

The High Court directed the amicus curiae to conduct an in-depth analysis on environmental protection and urged the state government to develop a comprehensive policy for developmental activities.

The court also included several key agencies in the case, such as the National Centre for Earth Science Studies, the Geological Survey of India, the Union of India, the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority, the State Environmental Impact Assessment Authority, and the Coastal Zone Management Authority.

The next hearing is scheduled for August 16.

Meanwhile, a massive rescue operation involving over 1,000 personnel from the defence forces, NDRF, SDRF, police, fire services, and volunteers resumed early Friday morning in the four hardest-hit areas: Churalmala, Velarimala, Mundakayil, and Punchirimadom.

The death toll has now reached 413, with 152 people still reported missing.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit the affected areas on Saturday, where he will also meet with victims currently staying in relief camps.