Declining Snowfall In Himachal’s Kufri: NGT Seeks Centre And State Govt. Response On Environmental Degradation Found By Joint Committee

Observing that the joint Committee has found several violations causing damage to the environment which includes degradation of natural vegetation in Kufri,the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed MoEF&CC as well as the Himachal Pradesh Government to comment on the report.

“After going through the said report, we find that comments of MoEF&CC as well as Government of HP through Additional Chief Secretaries/ Principal Secretaries, Tourism as also Environment, need be obtained for the purpose of implementation of the report, if in principle they agree with the recommendation in the report, and/or, if they have any objection the same be also be placed before Tribunal, We, accordingly issue notice to MoEF&CC and also Government of HP through Additional Chief Secretary/ Principal Secretary, Tourism as also Environment,”said the bench Justice Sudhir Agarwal, Dr. A.Senthil Vel.

The Tribunal noted that,it has been observed by the committee that “more than a thousand horses and ponies are employed in the small area which is much beyond the carrying capacity of the area.”

“Besides, solid waste management is also not scientific and it is also causing huge pollution in the area,it added.”

The NGT was hearing the application filed against unscientific management of tourist activities including employment of horses to a large number in a small area which was damaging the environment at large scale in Kufri.

It was also alleged that due to callous attitude of State Authorities, rising number of horses and other local reasons, snowfall in the area is continuously declining for the last two decades.

Considering the report of the joint committee comprising Divisional Forest Officer, Shimla, Regional Officer, MoEF&CC, Chandigarh, State PCB and District Magistrate,the NGT has directed the authorities to file their responses in one month.

The matter listed on July 12 for further consideration.

Case Title: Shailendra Kumar Yadav v.State of H.P.