The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has taken proactive measures to address environmental concerns in Mussoorie.
The National Green Tribunal’s Principal Bench in New Delhi has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report highlighting the potential environmental risks faced by Mussoorie in the wake of the Joshimath disaster .
The report, published on January 16, 2023, warned of the dangers of unplanned construction in Mussoorie, prompting the Tribunal to constitute a nine-member committee to study the carrying capacity of the eco-sensitive area.
The committee, headed by the Chief Secretary of Uttarakhand, was tasked with assessing the impact of construction on the region’s environment, including soil stability, flora, and fauna. The committee’s report, submitted in July 2023, outlined proposed activities and timelines to address environmental concerns .
However, the Tribunal noted deficiencies in the report and directed the Chief Secretary to file an affidavit detailing effective actions taken, time-bound plans, budgetary allocations, and accountable persons for implementation.
In response, the State of Uttarakhand filed an affidavit on September 27, 2024, outlining proposed activities aligned with the carrying capacity report.
The Principal Bench of Justice Prakash Shrivastava, Justice Arun Kumar Tyagi, Dr. A. Senthil Vel and Dr. Afroz Ahamd has granted the State four weeks to verify and submit details on whether the proposed actions align with Mussoorie’s carrying capacity.
The next hearing is scheduled for January 28, 2025.