NGT panel for regulating tourist influx at Mussoorie

A nine-member joint committee appointed by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) to study the specific carrying capacity of Mussoorie, amid a possibility of a Joshimath-like situation in the hill town, has recommended regulating the tourist influx to the town by charging them and utilising the proceeds for managing waste and cleanliness.

The panel was set up in the wake of the Joshimath land subsidence crisis and in light of a newspaper report published in January which said “Joshimath is a warning for Mussoorie”.

The joint committee recommended that registration of tourists should be done according to the carrying capacity of the area, especially the available parking space, guest room availability etc. It also suggested geotechnical investigations as per BIS Codes for tunnel and major civil structures projects  and promoting rainwater harvesting.