Rajasthan
Tourist Activities: Tourist activities in Sam dunes violating green norms | NGT | Jaipur News
Jaipur: To preserve the delicate ecosystem of the dunes at Sam and Khuri near Jaisalmer, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has mandated the registration of all jeep and camel safari operators.
The tribunal expressed concern over the unregulated use of jeep and camels during the peak tourist season, prompting the issuance of directives to ensure proper registration and the formulation of guidelines.
The order emphasises the necessity of conducting regular health examinations and ensuring timely immunization for safari camels. The NGT highlighted the current lack of regulation, training, and monitoring among the 1,000 camel safaris and 4,000 jeep safaris that take place daily during the tourist season.
“The large number of tourist activities in the area violates environmental norms due to the absence of environmental impact assessments, consent under Air and Water Acts, and required environmental clearances,” reads the NGT order.
To address pollution and environmental impact from vehicular movements, the NGT called for clear definitions and regulations on the number and types of vehicles, nature of fuels, parking facilities, and restricted vehicle zones. The carrying capacity study of the area should guide these regulations, with regular monitoring, it said.
The NGT stressed that the balance between tourism, economic prosperity, and employment cannot be achieved at the expense of the environment. Recognizing the eco-sensitiveness of the area, the tribunal called for the development of a mechanism to regulate tourist footfall according to the environmental carrying capacity.
The order also emphasized the need for a certification process for tourism operators based on the Ministry of Tourism guidelines for recognition of tourism service providers (2020). “This move aims to regulate operators and ensure compliance with environmental rules,” said an expert, who was also member of the committee appointed by the court.
Additionally, the NGT has directed the administration to outline safety guidelines, emergency plans, and a grievance redressal system for adventurous activities such as paragliding, paramotoring, and parasailing.
Visitors are required to obtain necessary permits from the Department of Environment and Forests before entering restricted areas like National Parks or Sanctuaries.
We also published the following articles recently
The tribunal expressed concern over the unregulated use of jeep and camels during the peak tourist season, prompting the issuance of directives to ensure proper registration and the formulation of guidelines.
The order emphasises the necessity of conducting regular health examinations and ensuring timely immunization for safari camels. The NGT highlighted the current lack of regulation, training, and monitoring among the 1,000 camel safaris and 4,000 jeep safaris that take place daily during the tourist season.
“The large number of tourist activities in the area violates environmental norms due to the absence of environmental impact assessments, consent under Air and Water Acts, and required environmental clearances,” reads the NGT order.
To address pollution and environmental impact from vehicular movements, the NGT called for clear definitions and regulations on the number and types of vehicles, nature of fuels, parking facilities, and restricted vehicle zones. The carrying capacity study of the area should guide these regulations, with regular monitoring, it said.
The NGT stressed that the balance between tourism, economic prosperity, and employment cannot be achieved at the expense of the environment. Recognizing the eco-sensitiveness of the area, the tribunal called for the development of a mechanism to regulate tourist footfall according to the environmental carrying capacity.
The order also emphasized the need for a certification process for tourism operators based on the Ministry of Tourism guidelines for recognition of tourism service providers (2020). “This move aims to regulate operators and ensure compliance with environmental rules,” said an expert, who was also member of the committee appointed by the court.
Additionally, the NGT has directed the administration to outline safety guidelines, emergency plans, and a grievance redressal system for adventurous activities such as paragliding, paramotoring, and parasailing.
Visitors are required to obtain necessary permits from the Department of Environment and Forests before entering restricted areas like National Parks or Sanctuaries.
We also published the following articles recently
NGT gives 3 more months to free Bhoj wetland area
The NGT has given the district administration and BMC three more months to remove encroachments in the Bhoj wetland area and stop the discharge of untreated water into Bhopal’s water bodies. The petitioner, Aarya Shrivastava, had sought the removal of encroachments and highlighted the issue of untreated water in the Upper Lake. The tribunal has directed the authorities to expedite the removal of encroachments and calculate environmental compensation for the damage caused. The case will be heard on March 21, 2024.
The NGT has given the district administration and BMC three more months to remove encroachments in the Bhoj wetland area and stop the discharge of untreated water into Bhopal’s water bodies. The petitioner, Aarya Shrivastava, had sought the removal of encroachments and highlighted the issue of untreated water in the Upper Lake. The tribunal has directed the authorities to expedite the removal of encroachments and calculate environmental compensation for the damage caused. The case will be heard on March 21, 2024.
NGT directs state to set up cell to resolve green plaints
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has ordered the establishment of grievance redressal cells in Nainital to combat environmental crisis. The NGT has mandated the addressing of illegal tree cutting complaints and submission of Action Taken Report (ATR) by the principal chief conservator of forest (PCCF) within two months. The Uttarakhand Pollution Control Board has also been instructed to submit an ATR regarding show cause notices served to hotels. The compromised integrity of the Tree Felling Committee in Nainital has been highlighted and concerns about ecological challenges have been expressed. The NGT has issued directives to various government officials and agencies. The tribunal has also ordered the filing of an FIR and presence of specific officials at the next hearing.
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has ordered the establishment of grievance redressal cells in Nainital to combat environmental crisis. The NGT has mandated the addressing of illegal tree cutting complaints and submission of Action Taken Report (ATR) by the principal chief conservator of forest (PCCF) within two months. The Uttarakhand Pollution Control Board has also been instructed to submit an ATR regarding show cause notices served to hotels. The compromised integrity of the Tree Felling Committee in Nainital has been highlighted and concerns about ecological challenges have been expressed. The NGT has issued directives to various government officials and agencies. The tribunal has also ordered the filing of an FIR and presence of specific officials at the next hearing.
EC mandatory for mining minor minerals: NGT order
Chhattisgarh Environment Conservation Board (CECB) has issued a circular making it mandatory to obtain fresh environmental clearance from the State-level Environmental Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) for excavation of minor minerals. This circular is in compliance with an order by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) Central Zone Bench in Bhopal. The NGT order requires mining operations to have environmental clearance granted by SEIAA upon re-appraisal. Mining activities without SEIAA clearance must be stopped. This order affects stone, dolomite, ordinary soil, sand, and murram mines in Chhattisgarh. Leaseholders of over 1,500 mines, especially in Bilaspur and Janjgir-Champa, need environmental clearance from SEIAA. The chief secretaries and member secretaries of Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan are also required to comply with the orders.
Chhattisgarh Environment Conservation Board (CECB) has issued a circular making it mandatory to obtain fresh environmental clearance from the State-level Environmental Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) for excavation of minor minerals. This circular is in compliance with an order by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) Central Zone Bench in Bhopal. The NGT order requires mining operations to have environmental clearance granted by SEIAA upon re-appraisal. Mining activities without SEIAA clearance must be stopped. This order affects stone, dolomite, ordinary soil, sand, and murram mines in Chhattisgarh. Leaseholders of over 1,500 mines, especially in Bilaspur and Janjgir-Champa, need environmental clearance from SEIAA. The chief secretaries and member secretaries of Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan are also required to comply with the orders.
