MANDI: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has ordered the Himachal Pradesh Pollution Control Board to impose a Rs 1 lakh fine on Kokser panchayat in Lahaul, citing severe environmental damage caused by improper waste management.
The penalty follows a petition filed by an environmental NGO, which highlighted the panchayat’s failure to manage and dispose of solid waste in compliance with environmental standards.
The state’s Pollution Control Board, acting on the NGT’s directive, levied the fine on the panchayat, underscoring the growing concern over environmental protection in Himachal Pradesh’s ecologically sensitive areas.
Repeated violations in ecologically fragile zones
In the past, the NGT has repeatedly issued directives to the local authorities in Lahaul-Spiti and other high-altitude regions for failing to protect fragile ecosystems. Similar cases of neglect have surfaced, including pollution concerns near tourist-heavy regions such as Rohtang Pass and Solang Valley. The NGT, in earlier rulings, has emphasised the critical need for responsible waste management practices, especially in regions like Lahaul-Spiti, where ecosystems are highly vulnerable to human activity.
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In Kokser’s case, the NGT’s decision was driven by multiple factors. A team from the Pollution Control Board, after conducting a site inspection, found widespread environmental violations. Waste was strewn along several key areas, including near the northern portal of the Atal Tunnel, Kokser village, and the pathways leading to Rohtang Pass.
Failure to contain solid waste
According to the petitioner’s lawyer, Akash Vashishth, Kokser panchayat was found to have failed in managing solid waste scientifically and preventing its spread in the region. A significant issue was the improper disposal of waste near a water source in Dimduk village. The material recovery facility in the area was also found to be non-operational.
The investigation revealed that solid waste was being openly burned, posing further risks to air quality in the already delicate ecological zone. No efforts were made to manage wet waste, and there were no warning signs or boards to discourage littering and promote cleanliness.
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The NGT has made it clear that such negligence will not be tolerated, especially in sensitive areas like Lahaul-Spiti, where tourism and rapid development threaten to destabilise the environment.
Wider implications for tourism and local communities
The issue of environmental mismanagement is not unique to Kokser panchayat. The entire Lahaul-Spiti district faces growing challenges as the influx of tourists increases, particularly after the opening of the Atal Tunnel, which has made previously remote areas more accessible. The lack of adequate infrastructure to handle the surge in tourism has already strained local resources, with waste management becoming a critical problem.
In response to these challenges, the government is planning to conduct a study to assess the vehicle capacity of key areas like Sissu and Kokser. The goal is to determine if restrictions on tourist numbers are needed to preserve the region’s environmental health.
NGT’s message to local authorities
The Rs 1 lakh fine imposed on Kokser Panchayat is a wake-up call for other Panchayats in the region. With the state government’s increasing focus on sustainable tourism, the NGT has stressed the need for local bodies to take their environmental responsibilities seriously.
Mirupa, the Secretary of Kokser panchayat, confirmed the fine and acknowledged that it has created widespread concern among local authorities in Lahaul, who fear they could be next if they fail to comply with environmental regulations. The NGT’s decision sets a clear precedent that environmental negligence in sensitive areas will be met with swift punitive action.
