No paragliding, snow scooters at eco-sensitive Rohtang: NGT

The National Green Tribunal today 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.
A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar, however, clarified that it would be appropriate to permit some activities at lower levels so that its consequences upon the environment and ecology could be observed.
"As far as Rohtang is concerned, we are completely unsatisfied with the proposals made as it is an extremely eco- sensitive area and cannot be subjected to further degradation on the mere assurance that the state government would take appropriate steps," the bench said in its order.

The tribunal also said, "No activity of any kind would be permitted at Rohtang Pass except providing of local dresses and photography."
Regarding operation of vehicles, the green panel said 800 petrol vehicles per day would be allowed to go to Rohtang instead of the 600 as permitted in its earlier order.
"We particularly deny any increase in the diesel vehicles which would be maintained at 400. All these vehicles which have maintained emission standards would be permitted to go to Rohtang. All these vehicles would operate as per the terms and conditions imposed by the authorities and the orders passed by the tribunal earlier," it further said.

It also 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.

It also said cameraman or the people providing these services would not be allowed to carry on any other ancillary activity or take eatables at any of the identified sites.
The bench appointed six advocates as local commissioners and asked them to file a comprehensive report before it about compliance of the terms and conditions of its orders.

It also said that these local commissioners would "pay greater emphasis as to the impact on environment and ecology, waste management, level of pollution and blackening of snow in that area".
(Reopens LGD 27)
The bench said only four stroke snow scooters would be permitted to operate at Beas Nala to Sagu Fall and at Gulaba and not more than 50 four stroke snow mobiles would be allowed at these sites collectively.
Regarding paragliding, the tribunal said it would be permitted within the identified areas at Solang and Marhi only and it would be ensured that persons doing paragliding and the tourists do not generate any municipal solid waste at the take off point or landing point.

The bench further said no horses would be permitted at Rohtang and not more than 200 registered horses would be allowed at all other marked and specified routes.
It, however, said mule or horse owners would be permitted to make associations of licenced horses and they would be responsible to maintain absolute cleanliness along with the authorities concerned.
The tribunal asked Himachal Pradesh 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 and collection and disposal of municipal solid waste or garbage and all other kinds of wastes at all points particularly, Rohtang, Marhi, Solang, Gulaba and Beas Nalla.

The green panel also said a team of scientists from Ministry of Environment and Forests, Central Pollution Control Board, Centre for Glaciology - Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology and Ministry of Earth Sciences would visit Rohtang and its surrounding areas and would submit a report on current impact of vehicular and other emissions upon the glacier, environment and ecology of Rohtang and its surrounding areas.
On July 16 last year, the green panel had asked the state to hold consultations with all stakeholders, whose livelihood would be affected by ban on commercial activities and frame a rehabilitation plan to re-engage them in alternative employments and sustainable tourism.

Rohtang Pass is a high mountain pass on the eastern Pir Panjal Range of the Himalayas around 51 km from Manali and connects Kullu Valley with Lahaul and Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh.