With the decision of charging exorbitant environmental compensation from all types of vehicles going to Rohtang Pass, the National Green Tribunal has given a fatal blow to tourism industry of Himachal Pradesh. This has stirred widespread resentment among various sections of society. leaders of all parties have condemned the decision of the NGT as “unwise, unjust and dictatorial”.
local MlA of Manali, Gobind Singh Thakur, has urged Prime Minister, Narendra Modi and Himachal Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh to intervene and save the tourism industry which was dying due to the uncalled-for imposition of heavy environmental compensation. Entire economy of the State had been brought on the brink of peril, he has pointed out.
As a protest against this decision all the transport unions have gone on an indefinite strike at Manali and the tourists coming from home and abroad are undergoing untold hardships. According to hotel unions the occupancy has fallen down alarmingly and tourists who had to spend a week or two in Manali are running back with their bag and baggage. Cancellations of bookings are also being received by the hoteliers.
legal experts contend that time had come when the Government should immediately take an initiative to rationalise the unfettered powers of the institutions like the NGT by defining the role of three wings of administration — legislation, executive and the judiciary without any ambiguity. They have expressed shock and surprise over the trend of intrusion in the domain of the executive which was a cause of deep concern for the jurists and legal experts in and outside the country.