Redesign Gulaba barrier within a week: NGT

Green panel has also ordered state government to properly manage mobile toilets units at Gulaba and other places

The National Green Tribunal (NGT)  has directed Himachal Pradesh government to redesign the barrier at Gulaba near Manali within a week and install requisite equipments to ensure proper management of the tourists.

The green panel has also ordered the state government to properly manage mobile toilets units at Gulaba and other places besides effective waste disposal system.

"We issue directions to the State of Himachal Pradesh that barrier at Gulaba should be re-designed and manned properly. It should have all the relevant equipments and computerised system to ensure proper managements of the tourists pressure during the season.

"The mobile toilets units at Gulaba and other places should be properly managed and there should be effective waste disposal system. The sign boards put up should be preferably in a permanent material rather than flex and should be in both languages ie. English and Hindi," a bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar said.

It has also directed local commissioners to conduct surprise inspection at different locations en route to Rohtang pass and submit report within a week.

"They would be within their right to conduct surprise inspection or conduct inspection after informing the authority concerned. In either of the event the state authority including the police and DC Kullu shall provide all help and assistance to the local commissioners to comply with the directions issued by the tribunal," the bench said.

The matter is now listed for next hearing on July 14 at Shimla.

On May 9, the tribunal had said no activities like paragliding and snow scooters would be permitted at Rohtang Pass in Himachal Pradesh as the "extremely eco-sensitive area" cannot be subjected to further degradation.

However, it had observed that people involved in providing local dresses for photography purposes would be permitted to carry on their activity at Rohtang, Solang, Gulaba and Marhi and those given permit to carry on these activities would be licensed which would be provided by the authority concerned.

The tribunal had asked the state government to submit a comprehensive report on various aspects including the ropeway, operationalisation of CNG and electric buses, status with regard to afforestation and establishment of eco-friendly market at Marhi.