NGT slaps fine of Rs 10 Lakh on Solan-based hotel

New Delhi : The National Green Tribunal has ordered demolition of an illegally constructed portion of a hotel at Solan in Hiamchal Pradesh and imposed a fine of Rs 10 lakh for causing environmental pollution and degrading the ecology.

The green panel noted that hotel Barog Heights has built up structures which were partially unauthorised and illegal and was running its business without obtaining due permission from the state pollution control board from April 1, 2012 till date.

A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar directed the hotel to demolish the unauthorised structure within four weeks and pay environment compensation of Rs 10 lakh for causing irretrievable damage to the ecology to the Himachal Pradesh Pollution Control Board in two weeks.

"Nothing has been placed on record which shows that the applicant is not an environment offender. There is no evidence to show as to how such a big hotel is dealing with its waste and is treating the sewage generated. Sewage treatment plant (STP) is not of the requisite capacity as the applicant has been adding blocks and blocks of construction with the passage of time without enhancing the capacity of the STP.

"The pollution control board has never analysed the quality of the sewage either at the inlet or even the outlet of the STP. These are some of the patent environmental concerns which apparently show that the applicant for his personal financial benefits has caused environmental degradation," the bench said.

It also constituted a joint team comprising senior scientist from the Environment Ministry, professor from Punjab Engineering College and others to conduct inspection of the entire premises of the hotel and submit a detailed and comprehensive report in relation to functioning of the STP, management and disposal of waste.

The judgement came on the plea filed by NGO Society for Preservation of Kasauli and its Environs (SPOKE) against hotels causing pollution in the state and constructing structures in excess of their permission.