the Bombay High Court (hc) recently directed the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (mpcb) to take punitive action, including closure, against 180 hotels in Mahabaleshwar and Panchgani for non-compliance with prescribed sewage treatment norms. The action is to be taken by June 30, 2005. The order came in response to a writ petition filed by Mumbai-based environment watchdog Bombay Environment Action Group (beag). beag accused the municipal councils of the twin hill stations of releasing untreated sewage into the valleys around the hill stations, especially the Venna Lake, an important drinking water source for Mahabaleshwar.

Mahabaleshwar and Panchgani, along with Matheran, also in the state, are the only three hill stations designated as eco-sensitive by the Union government (see Down To Earth,