HC glare on hotels in Dharamsala

Legal Correspondent

Shimla, December 9

Expressing concern over the degrading environment in Dharamsala, the High Court yesterday directed the Regional Officer of the Pollution Control Board (PCB) to inspect hotels and other establishments in Dharamsala, McLeodganj and Naddi, which were being run without obtaining sanction from the authorities concerned. The court further directed the Regional Officer, PCB, to file his report before the court by December 15.

A Division Bench comprising acting Chief Justice Sanjay Karol and Justice Ajay Mohan Goel passed the order on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) petition dealing with the issue of degrading of environment in Parwanoo by industrial units.

During the course of hearing, it was brought to the notice of the court that the situation in Dharamsala, McLeodganj and the surrounding areas was worse than that of Parwanoo.

It was further informed that the establishments set up at these places were being run without obtaining consent under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974; the Municipal Solid Waste Management and Handling Rules, 2016; and the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981. Also there was violation of the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development and Registration Act, 2002.