NEW DELHI: Supreme Court on Thursday decided to investigate allegations made through a PIL that flagrant violation of environmental norms in developmental and road projects in the fragile Himalayan region is causing cloudbursts, torrential rains, flash floods and landslides in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jammu & Kashmir, and Punjab.Advocate Akash Vashishtha, appearing on behalf of petitioner Anamika Rana, drew the attention of a bench of Chief Justice Bhushan R Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran to the havoc caused by unusually heavy rains in the hill states as well as the inundation of vast swathes in Punjab, and sought formation of an SIT to find ways and means to preserve the delicate ecology of the Himalayan region after ascertaining the causes of such natural disasters.The bench issued notices to MHA, MoEF&CC and Jal Shakti, as well as NDMA, NHAI, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, J&K and Punjab and asked them to file responses within two weeks.CJI Gavai recorded court’s concerns about rampant illegal felling of trees in the upper reaches of Himalayas. “We have taken note of seriousness of the situation. Videos of flash floods show large numbers of logs being swept down and is a prima facie indicator of illegal cutting down of trees in the hills,” he said.Turning to solicitor general Tushar Mehta, who was present in the courtroom for another case, the CJI told the law officer to take note of the serious problem and illegal felling of trees. Mehta said he would get in touch with the secretary in MoEF&CC and request him to discuss the issue with environment secretaries of the states concerned.“We have interfered with nature so much that it is now giving back,” Mehta said. The CJI agreed and said time has come to take drastic steps to preserve whatever we have and strictly adhere to the path of sustainable development.Rana, in her PIL, alleged that failure of environmental authorities to preserve the pristine ecology of the Himalayan region, flagrant violation of the hill road construction code, and encroachment of water channels and water bodies constitute the cocktail of reasons for the vicissitudes of nature to wreak havoc through unprecedented rains.The petitioner sought “formation of a SIT involving experts to find out the reasons for these disasters, determine responsibilities of officials, suggest measures to help protect the ecology of Himalayan States” and keep their population safe from disasters.