NGT Constitutes Joint Committee To Investigate Declining Snowfall In Himachal's Kufri

The Principal bench of NGT has constituted a joint committee to submit a factual and action-taken report on the declining snowfall in Kufri, Himachal Pradesh.

The bench of Justice Sudhir Agarwal (Judicial Member ) Dr. A. Senthil Vel, (Expert Member) said that a serious environmental issue has been raised, which requires the attention of the Tribunal.

The letter petition was filed by advocate Shailendra Kumar Yadav, highlighting the issue of environmental destruction in Kufri.

The petitioner submitted that due to the negligent attitude of state authorities, the rising number of horses, and other local reasons, snowfall in Kufri has been continuously declining for the last two decades. As a consequence, water resources are drying up, and Shimla town itself remains devoid of any snow for most of the winter season.

After taking note of the petition, the Tribunal said substantial environmental questions related to the implementation of Scheduled Enactments under NGT Act, 2010 arise.

However, before proceeding any further in the matter, the Tribunal found it appropriate to obtain a factual report. Hence, a joint committee has been constituted, comprising the Divisional Forest Officer, Shimla, Regional Officer, MoEF&CC, Chandigarh, State PCB, and District Magistrate, Shimla, who will visit the site and submit a factual report, including any actions taken within two months.

"Uncontrolled movement of horses has irreparably damaged flora and fauna of this eco-system. It has damaged food chain in the area. Continuous plying of horses has severely damaged beautiful forest trail and causing further damage to tree roots. The local administration has made available a huge area as parking area for horses in the prohibited area of forest. After the day's plying, the owners of these horses let the horses into the adjoining forests causing severe damage to deodar tree roots along with flora and fauna therein. One can see naked tree roots and drying trees and shrubs with heaps of stinking horse dung all over the area," the applicant told NGT.

The matter will now be taken up on May 25.

Case- Shailendra Kumar Yadav v. State of H.P.

Click Here To Read/Download Order