Kullu: Himachal Pradesh chief secretary Sanjay Gupta has informed the National Green Tribunal (NGT) that action was initiated against officials for mismanaging garbage disposal in Kasol, one of the top tourist destinations in the state.According to an affidavit submitted recently to the NGT, Gupta stated that a formal complaint was made against Ghanshyam Sharma, member secretary, Special Area Development Authority (SADA), and Gaurav Malik of Lakshay Total Solution Ltd for violating the provisions of the Environment Protection Act, 1986.The duo received notices from the govt on Jan 8, and the process for imposing a penalty against both was under way, the affidavit stated.An inquiry was marked against the SADA, Manikaran, and its Hisar-based contractor, M/s Lakshay Total Solution, both of which are responsible for the collection and scientific disposal of waste in Kasol.The inquiry was initiated on the complaint of Sunil Sharma, regional officer, HP State Pollution Control Board, Kullu.A team from the Pollution Control Board carried out an inspection in Kasol in Kullu district in May and June 2025 after a video showing heaps of garbage dumped in a forest area along the way to Grahan village in Kasol went viral on social media.The Pollution Control Board ordered SADA to lift the garbage and dispose of it at an authorised facility. However, in an inspection of the site conducted on Dec 5, 2025, the Board members found that the garbage was not completely lifted.The Pollution Control Board, in its complaint to the environment secretary, recommended “maximum penalty” against SADA and its contractor for failing to dispose of garbage scientifically.The Pollution Control Board has already imposed a penalty of Rs 4.8 lakh against the SADA, Manikaran.It may be mentioned that the NGT in June 2025 took suo motu cognisance of the garbage disposal problem in Kasol and issued notices to the HP Pollution Control Board; Central Pollution Control Board; Union ministry of environment, forest and climate change; Kullu deputy commissioner; and SADA (Manikaran), making these respondents in the case.The chief secretary filed an affidavit after the NGT last year made him a respondent in the case and directed him to submit a report informing the Tribunal of what action was taken for the implementation of solid waste management rules in Kullu.The Tribunal also directed the chief secretary to issue orders for the imposition of penalties against govt departments and officials concerned, as well as individual violators of the environment rules. Meanwhile, to solve the problem of garbage disposal in Kasol, land measuring 0.1982 hectare was identified for a solid waste management plant, the affidavit stated.According to the Kullu administration, the project received in-principle approval by the ministry of environment, forest and climate change, and until the solid waste management plant becomes functional, four temporary sites were identified for garbage disposal.A Material Recovery Facility (MRF) is also being constructed in Kasol for processing garbage before it is disposed of.
