Shimla, July 26
The Himachal Pradesh High Court has fined the state Forest Department ₹50,000 for not taking action against those responsible for illegal dumping in Gobind Sagar Lake. This ruling came after a public interest petition by Madan Lal, General Secretary of the Fourlane Displaced and Affected Committee, highlighted severe environmental issues due to unauthorized dumping.
A division bench, expressed dissatisfaction with the government’s status report. The report was criticized for lacking a clear explanation for not penalizing the culprits, only mentioning some departmental actions without addressing the core issue of accountability.
The court stressed the importance of government officials fulfilling their constitutional and legal duties, condemning the lack of action as a serious neglect of responsibility. Previously, the court had ordered the Chief Secretary to oversee the proceedings and ensure strict action against the responsible forest personnel. However, the status report’s failure to provide adequate reasons for inaction led the court to suspect deliberate protection of the culprits.
Also read: High Court issues notice over Illegal muck dumping in HPs Gobind Sagar lake
Rejecting the status report, the court imposed the fine on the Forest Department and required a new status report. This decision highlights the court’s serious stance on environmental violations and the perceived negligence of authorities in addressing the issue.
The ruling serves as a stern reminder to government officials about their responsibilities towards environmental protection and the legal consequences of failing to fulfill them. The court’s directive aims to ensure accountability and prompt corrective measures to safeguard Govind Sagar Lake from further ecological damage.
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