The NGT is a group to study the environmental impact of horses in Matheran

Pune: The West Bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Friday constituted a three-member panel to assess the environmental damage caused by the use of horses for tourism at Matheran station. The tribunal asked the panel to recommend precautionary measures after visiting the scene. The next meeting is scheduled for December 23 this year.

Matheran, a picturesque and popular hill station situated at an altitude of 2,636 feet above sea level, offers breathtaking views and a peaceful atmosphere. Due to the difficult terrain, visitors are provided with limited transportation options, including horseback and hand rickshaws. However, the animals are said to be damaging the ecology and environment of the hills.

Sunil Shinde, a resident of Matheran, through his advocate Tushar Kumar, approached the NGT to direct the authorities to limit the number of horses used for tourist purposes in Matheran.

Shinde said in his application that the hill station is part of an Environmentally Sensitive Zone (ESZ) declared by the Government of India in 2003. The daily work of 460 horses and 200 ponies in a pristine environment results in over three tons of horse manure. is dumped across the valley, harming the ecology as well as causing air, water and land pollution, which in turn affects human health. He proposed green alternatives to transport, such as battery-powered vehicles.

Accepting the plea at a hearing on Friday, the NGT bench comprising Justice Sheo Kumar Singh, member judge, and Vijay Kulkarni, expert member, constituted a three-member committee including representatives from the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Matheran Municipal Hill Station Board and Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB). The tribunal directed the team to visit the site and recommend measures to minimize the impact on the environment and submit a report within six months. MPCB ​​has been made the lead agency in this case.