Mitali Palnitkar
Published on: March 16, 2022 at 18:40 IST
The National Green Tribunal (NGT), New Delhi took Suo Motu Cognizance of a Report that outlined the Damage Inflicted to Himalayas due to Unregulated Tourism Activities.
The Bench headed by Justice AK Goel was hearing the Matter. It opined that Remedial Action is the need of the hour. It directed the GB Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment to Study the Matter and submit a Report within 3 months.
This Case was initiated based on a Newspaper Article, which said that around 240 Million People will be visiting the Hill States each year by 2025. Also, if the Issue of Solid Waste Disposal is not resolved, the delicate Environment of Himalayas could be affected.
Further, the Court ordered that the Report shall be forwarded to the Chief Secretaries of the 12 States in the Himalayan Regions. It must also be forwarded to the Environment Secretary and Tourism Secretary in the Government of India so that further action can be taken.
After the Submission of the Report, an online meeting shall be conducted by the Environment Secretary in the Government of India with the Chief Secretaries of the 12 States. The meeting shall be held within one month after receiving the Report and other Inputs Compiled by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
The Agenda of the meeting shall be the preparation of appropriate Action Plans in all the twelve States which would deal with the Measures for Mitigating the Adverse Impact of Tourism Activities on the Environment in the Himalayan Region.
It was further directed that a Compliance Report shall be submitted before the National Green Tribunal within 6 months.