Green bench bans construction in Rohtang

It also ordered Superintendent of Police,Kullu,to ensure a strict compliance of the orders on the ban. The court,however,exempted projects pertaining to the defense services.

The order was passed last week during the hearing of a PIL when state’s Town Planner AN Gautam informed the court that no interim development plan has been prepared by the Town and Country Planning department to regulate constructions at Marhi and Rohtang pass.

The court,which earlier had passed the orders for getting a complete carrying capacity study done by Nagpur based organization – National Environment Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) – said that there is a serious issue of protection and preservation of the fragile ecology,biodiversity and environment of Rohtang area. “Glacier of this area feeds our river basins and any damage would be irreparable. It would adversely affect nature and national economy. Hence some immediate measures are required to be taken,” the bench observed.

Referring to state government’s report relating to terms of conditions for the study,the court said,“We had expressed our concern that if more roads and buildings are allowed to be constructed in the area,it may result into landslides,thus causing soil erosion.”

The case will come up for resumed hearing on December 2. The court asked the senior officers to remain present with relevant records.

Earlier last year,a heavy inflow of the tourist vehicles to Rohtang and Marhi had led to serious traffic and environmental hazards compelling the government to impose restrictions on all the tourist vehicles. State chief secretary Rajwant Sandhu had also held a meeting with district and other officials but Rohtang remained worst affected by vehicular congestion and early glacier melting and snow at Rohtang Pass.