NGT bans commercial activities near Rohtang Pass

MANALI: National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Monday ordered the Himachal government to ban all commercial and tourism activities in Rohtang area and Solang valley with immediate effect. NGT in its order said that all dhabas, tea stalls, skiing, sledging, horse riding, and renting of snow scooters and all-terrain vehicles should be banned on Rohtang Pass as these activities are harming the fragile ecology of the area.
The green bench of the Supreme Court observed that the state government has failed to impose the previously passed orders efficiently and asked representatives of all departments linked to the case to appear before it in Shimla on July 16.
Providing extended relief to the local taxi operators, tribunal did not pass any fresh order on number of vehicles plying Manali-Rohtang pass road for tourism purpose. Till next hearing, 1,000 vehicles per day would be allowed to visit Rohtang after obtaining permit from the tourism department.
Him-Aanchal Taxi Operators' Union general secretary Makar Dhwaj Sharma said that they did not get permanent relief from NGT and would continue to fight for their rights. "We are now looking at July 16 verdict. We hope that we shall get permanent relief and local taxi drivers would be allowed to ply their vehicles on Rohtang road without any restriction," he said.