The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has finally got into the act of also pulling up government agencies for their sheer disrespect for the environment and other laws in allowing rampant, illegal private constructions in the hills of Kasauli in Himachal Pradesh.
On Wednesday (July 19), apart from imposing fines and other strictures on private hotels, the NGT’s principal bench headed by Justice Swatanter Kumar also imposed a fine of Rs 1 lakh on Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation.
About the hotels, the NGT bench was strict. Hotel Greek View was asked to submit a report carrying details of its sewage system, water management system and generator usage details. Interestingly, the counsel for state authorities failed to submit the actual photographs of the hotel.
Hotel Glen View Resort was ordered to report the authorities and the court imposed a fine of Rs 5 lakh. It ruled that If the resort failed to deposit the fine within 3 weeks, the corporation would shut the hotel down.
Hotel Sanawar View was fined Rs 50,000 for constructing an extra floor instead of making a parking slot as passed by the authorities.
The court also ordered that a committee including officers of boards shall visit the site and they have to report within one week. If the report is against the hotel then it will be shut down.
All matters related to Kasauli hotels will be taken up on Thursday (July 20).
—India Legal Bureau