NGT notice to Uttarakhand over inaction in Mussoorie

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued a notice to Uttarakhand’s chief secretary for not taking any “substantial action” regarding its directions to ensure that the environment of the “fragile” or ecologically sensitive region of Mussoorie is not disturbed.

The green body, in May last year, issued the order after disposing of a matter where it initiated suo motu (on its own) proceedings in view of a media report that the 2023 Joshimath disaster was a warning for Mussoorie, where unplanned constructions continued. “We dispose of this matter with a direction that the state of Uttarakhand will implement the 19 action points along with all other remedial measures based on sound scientific principles and practices to ensure that the environment of the fragile Himalayan region is not disturbed beyond the carrying capacity,” the tribunal’s order had said.

The tribunal had sought an action taken report after six months. The NGT on March 24 this year noted that a report had been filed by the state’s additional secretary in compliance with the tribunal’s directions. A bench of NGT Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava and expert members A Senthil Vel and Afroz Ahmad said, “On the perusal of the report, we find that no substantial action has been taken in respect of the relevant issues which were reflected in the order of the tribunal.