Order of the National Green Tribunal in the matter of Court on its own motion Vs State of Himachal Pradesh & Others dated 08/06/2021.

The issue for consideration is the remedial steps for maintaining ecology in the area of Manali and Rohtang Pass in Himachal Pradesh.

Proceedings commenced on the basis of a letter addressed to the Chief Justice, Himachal Pradesh with the grievance that 4000 - 5000 vehicles were making round trips from Manali to Rohtang Pass resulting in huge pollution and damage to the environment. In 2013 the matter was transferred to the NGT from the Himachal Pradesh High Court and a number of orders were passed from time to time.

The matter was last considered, July 30, 2020 wherein directions were given to the Principal Secretary, Environment, Himachal Pradesh to submit a report giving the status of ropeways, sewage treatment plant, parking facilities, eco-friendly market, solid waste management facility, nature park, electric buses, installation of Weight in Motion, air quality and vehicular emissions, testing of samples from the STP. Accordingly, the report was filed January 21, 2021.

The court expressed its dissatisfaction with the report - the ropeway project has not been completed for want of requisite EC and steps are in progress for setting up of STP at Marhi and and upgradation of STP at Manali, for parking facilities, solid waste management facility, nature park, electric buses.

The said steps need to be expedited and the Chief Secretary, Himachal Pradesh must monitor the same in a time bound manner and a final compliance report must be filed before October 26, 2021, the NGT order, June 8, 2021 passed by the bench of Justices Adarsh Kumar Goel, Sudhir Agarwal, M. Sathyanarayanan and Brijesh Sethi said.