Order of the National Green Tribunal regarding forest encroachment in the process of construction of aerial ropeway connecting the base of Savitri Mandir hill to its summit in Pushkar, Rajasthan, 09/04/2025
Order of the National Green Tribunal (Central Zone Bench, Bhopal) in the matter of Daulat Ram Vs State of Rajasthan & Others dated 09/04/2025.
The application has been filed by the applicant alleging that a license agreement was executed on March 2, 2015 between the Governor of Rajasthan acting on behalf of the state government and the M/s. Damodar Ropeways & Infra Ltd. to construct, operate and maintain an aerial ropeway system connecting the base of Savitri Mandir hill to its summit in Pushkar. The agreement was executed in accordance with the provisions of the Rajasthan Ropeways Act 1996 and the Project Proponent was permitted to utilise 0.874 hectares of designated forest land for the establishment and operation of the ropeway observing all environmental norms.
It was alleged that under the garb of construction and operation of the ropeway, the PP started impacting the temple by encroaching upon the land that was specifically allocated to the Savitri Devi mandir. It was also alleged that the PP has also encroached the additional forest land and temple trust property causing significant environmental damage.
A report filed by the committee found the presence of permanent constructions and structures including ticket counter, washrooms, cafeteria and septic tank on forest land. Additional land of 1280.06 sq. mtr. has been encroached from the forest land in violation of environmental rules without permission from any authority. Further, there is a diesel generator for which there is no permission by the competent authority.
The NGT directed Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board to file the action taken report in light of the encroachment highlighted by the joint committee. Rest of the respondents have been directed to submit their reply within a period of two weeks. The project proponent has also been directed to file their reply within two weeks. Counsel for the applicant pointed out that the activities of the project proponent are in contravention to the EC granted and in violation of environmental rules. The NGT directed the Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board to submit report on the matter.