Gangtok: The High Court of Sikkim has expanded its scrutiny of climate preparedness in the state, directing government departments and all six district administrations to provide detailed inputs on anticipated climate risks, measures to prevent avoidable harm and steps needed to build a climate-resilient Sikkim.
The direction forms part of the Court’s suo motu proceedings registered as WP(PIL) No. 11 of 2026, “In Re: Climatic Justice in the State of Sikkim”, initiated after the Court took note of the severe hardship caused by recent flash floods in neighbouring Nepal.
In a communication issued following the September 17 proceedings, the authorities have been asked to furnish detailed reports, opinions, suggestions and comments on the risks facing the state and measures that can be taken to anticipate them, prevent avoidable harm and strengthen climate resilience.
The communication has been sent to the Chief Secretary, Government of Sikkim, as well as the Principal Secretary of the Science and Technology Department; Secretaries of the Forest and Environment Department, Water Resources and River Development Department, Mines and Geology Department, and Land Revenue and Disaster Management Department, including the Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority (SSDMA).
The PCE-cum-Secretary of the Power Department has also been included, along with the District Collectors of Gangtok, Namchi, Geyzing, Mangan, Pakyong and Soreng.
The breadth of the communication places climate-risk preparedness across multiple sectors and administrative levels, covering climate science, forests and environment, water resources, geology, disaster management, power and district administration.
The state authorities have been asked to submit their views on the issues so that the government’s response can be placed before the High Court.
The matter is now listed for orders on October 14, 2026.
The September 17 order records that the High Court initiated the suo motu PIL after taking note of the “severe hardship and impact” caused by recent flash floods in neighbouring Nepal. The grounds for initiating the proceedings were detailed in a note by Chief Justice A. Muhamed Mustaque.
The Court, comprising Chief Justice Mustaque and Justice Bhaskar Raj Pradhan, has also sought participation from communities that could potentially be affected by climate-related and geological hazards.
It directed the Registry to forward copies of the proceedings to local print and digital media outlets to raise public awareness and invite opinions and suggestions from the public. Submissions can be made through the Sikkim State Legal Services Authority (SSLSA) or directly to the Registrar of the High Court.
The SSLSA has separately been directed to assist the Amici Curiae in gathering local inputs and information from different parts of the state.
The Court appointed Sudhir Mishra, Advocate, Dr (Mrs.) Doma T. Bhutia and T.R. Barfungpa, Senior Advocate, as Amici Curiae to assist in the proceedings.
The High Court has also impleaded the SSDMA, Power Department of the Government of Sikkim, Ministry of Railways and National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd. (NHIDCL) as respondents.
The latest direction gives the proceedings a broader administrative scope, with the Court seeking inputs not only from agencies directly responsible for disaster management but also from departments dealing with environment, water, geology, science and technology and critical infrastructure, as well as district-level authorities.
Also Read: The forest remedies: How bone fractures are treated in Tripura