Wants Pollution Control Board to crack down on defaulters Taking note of the fact that hotels at the famous tourist resort Gulmarg are running without sewage treatment plants (STPs), the High Court has said it is “amazed” by the non-compliance with the Pollution Control Board (PCB) rules in this regard. The court has directed the PCB to comply with the objectives tasked upon it under the environment protection Act, pollution control norms and various statutes by issuing notices to the hotels violating the norms. These directions were issued by a division bench comprising Chief Justice MM Kumar and Justice Dhiraj Singh Thakur today in a public interest litigation filed by Mohammad Rafiq Zargar, wherein he had sought intervention of the courts in safeguarding the eco-sensitive areas of Gulmarg and Tangmarg from illegal constructions. As per rules, all hotels having a capacity of more than 19 rooms are supposed to have an individual STP facility in case a common STP facility for the hotels is not available. However, during a spot inspection of various establishments, including hotels and restaurants, at Gulmarg by the Gulmarg Development Authority official in May it was found that not even one hotel had an STP facility that was functional. “We direct the PCB to comply with its objectives tasked upon it under various statutes, like air, water and environment protection Act and various other statutory rules,” the bench said in its orders today. “We are amazed by the fact that no efforts are made by the PCB by issuing notices to the defaulters (hotels violating PCB norms),” it said after the appearing counsel for the PCB undertook before the bench that “steps will be taken to comply with all the legal obligations and the directions issued by the court in May. The bench also directed the JK Chief Secretary to comply with the time schedule fixed by the court over taking action against the leasehold violations by different hotel and hut owners. The bench said the “court cannot be taken for granted as for as the schedule fixed for deciding such matters is concerned.” “The Chief Secretary shall have to file a proper application giving reasons for any extension in schedule,” the bench added. SEWAGE TREATMENT As per rules, all hotels having a capacity of more than 19 rooms are supposed to have an individual sewage treatment plant (STP) facility in case a common STP facility for the hotels is not available During a spot inspection of hotels and restaurants at Gulmarg by the Gulmarg Development Authority official in May, it was found that not even one hotel had an STP facility that was functional