HC seeks mechanism to curb littering on Triund trekking route
Photo used for indicative purpose only
Shimla, July 17
Himachal Pradesh High Court has sought a response from the state government on the mechanism in place for collecting waste generated along the popular Triund trekking route in Kangra district, after photographs placed before the court allegedly showed litter scattered at the tourist destination.
Hearing a public interest litigation filed by Ayan Bhardwaj, a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice G.S. Sandhawalia and Justice Bipin C. Negi issued notice to the limited extent of ascertaining whether respondent No. 5 has an effective system for collecting waste generated by trekkers visiting Triund.
The Bench also sought to know whether shops and outlets selling biscuits, bottled water, cold drinks and other consumable items have any arrangement to ensure that waste generated from products purchased by visitors is carried back instead of being left on the trekking route.
The court observed that counsel for the petitioner had placed on record photographs purportedly showing littering at the site in the form of plastic waste and glass bottles, raising concerns over environmental degradation in the ecologically sensitive trekking destination.
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During the hearing, Additional Advocate General Gobind Korla accepted notice on behalf of respondents No. 1 to 5, while advocate Salochna Rana appeared and waived notice for respondent No. 6. The court ordered that respondents No. 7 and 8 need not be served at this stage.
The matter has been listed for further hearing on August 27, 2026, when the state is expected to inform the court about the waste management mechanism and measures taken to address littering on the Triund trail.
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