India's environmental court forms panel to inspect over 1,700 hotels

NEW DELHI, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- India's top environmental court, the National Green Tribunal (NGT), on Thursday set up a committee to inspect over 1,700 hotels, lodges and home stay accommodations in northern state Himachal Pradesh.

The committee would be inspecting these accommodations in tourist resort of Kullu and Manali towns.

"The order to set up the committee came on a plea filed by a Manali resident alleging that many hotels were constructed illegally and are operating without permission from the authorities," an official said. "The petitioner has sought closure of these illegal hotels."

The inspection committee would be checking the source of portable water and source of electricity to these accommodations, besides generation of effluents, management of solid waste and sewage treatment available there.

According to the officials, the committee would submit the report to the Himachal Pradesh government along with the recommendations for protection of environment in the state in a bid to ensure that the area is not exposed to natural disasters.

Himachal Pradesh state is home to scenic mountain towns, hill stations and tourist resorts. Enditem