The Sikkim High Court on Thursday initiated suo motu proceedings on climate justice in the State, taking note of the growing vulnerability of the Himalayan region to climate-related disasters, including the recent devastating floods in Nepal.

The matter, and came up before a Bench comprising Chief Justice A. Muhamed Mustaque and Justice Bhaskar Raj Pradhan. The Court appointed Dr. Doma T. Bhutia, Senior Advocate, T.R. Barfungpa, Senior Advocate and Sudhir Mishra, Advocate as as Amici Curiae to assist in the proceedings.

The Court intends to assess whether Sikkim has sufficient institutional measures in place to anticipate, manage and respond to climate-induced disasters. Its examination will cover the adequacy of early-warning and disaster preparedness systems, land-use and spatial planning, management of vulnerable slopes, drainage and road infrastructure suited to the State’s fragile mountainous terrain, and policies governing settlements and long-term rehabilitation.