The Kerala High Court, hearing a suo-moto case on the Wayanad landslide disaster, on Friday stressed the need for a holistic approach in pursuing developmental activities, so tragedies like that which took place in the hill district could be averted.
It then appointed senior advocate Ranjith Thampan as amicus curiae and asked him to look into present policies and to suggest fresh ones on environmental issues.
The court pointed out that a landslide is a classic example of what happens when the natural environment's balance is disrupted.
"When you are talking about the availability of a resource and you remove such things from nature, the ecological balance is disturbed. Landslide is a classic example. You create pockets of holes which then lead to such incidents. A holistic approach is very much needed to check the social, economic, and ecological impact of such activities," it said.
The court asked the amicus curiae to do an in-depth analysis on how the environment can be protected and asked the state government to develop a comprehensive policy on developmental activities.
It also impleaded agencies including 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, the State Environmental Impact Assessment, and the Coastal Zone Management Authority, and posted the next hearing for August 16.
Meanwhile, the over 1,000-strong rescue team comprising personnel from all the defence forces, the NDRF, the SDRF, police, fire service and volunteers began searches early on Friday morning in the four worst-affected areas of Churalmala, Velarimala, Mundakayil, and Punchirimadom. The death toll has touched 413 while 152 people are still missing.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is arriving on Saturday to visit the affected areas and will also interact with the victims presently housed in relief camps.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Featured Video Of The Day
2 Dead, Many Feared Trapped For 17 Hours After Mohali Building Collapse
Neither Ruling Front Nor Opposition Can Hold Meetings By Blocking Roads: Court "Not Just Women, Men Have Pride And Dignity Too": Kerala High Court Cyclone Remal, Wayanad Landslides, And More: 2024's Deadliest Natural Disasters In India 4-Year-Old Boy Run Over By Speeding Creta In Mumbai, Teen Driver Arrested Germany Refused To Extradite Saudi Suspect? Suicidal Empathy, Says Elon Musk 2 Dead, Many Feared Trapped For 17 Hours After Mohali Building Collapse 4 Dead As Ambulance Helicopter Crashes Into Hospital Building In Turkey RPSC Senior Teacher 2024 Exam Schedule Out, Admit Cards To Release On This Date From Timothee Chalamet To Ajay Devgn, Lookalike Contest Craze Hits India Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.