Saturday, 11 November 2023 | PNS | DEHRADUN
In latest news from Dehradun, the Uttarakhand Pollution Control Board (UPCB) has issued order for the closure of nine hotels- all located in Mussoorie- for flouting the green norms from November 6. This drastic step on the part of UPCB comes close on the heels of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) having pulled up UPCB for sitting idle over rampant violation of environment norms by a number of hotels and home stays operating in Mussoorie. As per the UPCB order, 18 hotels which are now closed must obtain clearance from the pollution watchdog before reopening. Besides, UPCB has imposed compensation fines to the tune of Rs 60 lakhs on two hotels for causing damage to environment. Notably, UPCB had inspected several hotels operating in Mussoorie and identified nine hotels for flouting the green norms. Subsequently, show cause notices had been sent to these hotels but they had failed to respond. This promoted the pollution watchdog body of the State to issue the shutdown order to be effective from November 6.
