Shimla: Faced with a High Court diktat to bring about order to the haphazard construction activity around Kasauli, the high level government committee constituted for the purpose intends to seek more time from the courts in order to formulate a master plan for the area.
Following court directions, the ‘Kasauli Bachao Andolan’ committee and the additional chief secretary JP Negi met today afternoon to trash out issues pertaining to haphazard constructions and environmental degradation of the famous hill resort.
JP Negi told My Himachal News that Baljit Malik of the Kasauli Bachao Andolan environmentalist group spelt out the many problem areas that Greater Kasauli faces.
About the construction activity Malik did express the need that only such building be permitted construction whose architecture blended with the surrounding hill environment, said Negi.
He disclosed that 35 villages made up Greater Kasauli for which a master plan has to be formulated and putting in place a good garbage disposal system, a sewerage system and other civic amenities in place was a big task that had to be worked out.
“Deputy Commissioner Solan has been asked to set up a sub-committee to work on the details and since it is a big exercise, we would be approaching the court seeking more time,†he said.
Regarding some stone crushers clandestinely carrying out quarrying operations despite courts having banned the activity, Negi said that the DC headed sub-committee has been asked to look into it.
Kasauli Bachao Andolan in a public interest litigation, has sought the development activity around Kasauli to be regulated for which a master plan needed to be formulated.
In his petition, Baljit Malik has submitted a detailed document with photographic evidence pointing out specific cases alleging that indiscriminate construction was being carried out in and around Kasauli town for which trees have also been illegally felled.
As Editor, Ravinder Makhaik leads a team of media professionals at Hill Post.
Spanning a career of over two decades in mass communication, as a Documentary Filmmaker, TV journalist, Print Media journalist and with Online & Social Media, he brings with him a vast experience. He lives in Shimla.
Baljit Malik? Don’t make me laugh. The man’s an egoistic *******. Ask anyone who’s lived near him for any amount of time.