National Green Tribunal
News Item Titled " Illegal Commercial ... vs . Ankita Sinha & Ors." Reported In 2021 on 23 July, 2025
Item No. 07 Court No. 1
BEFORE THE NATIONAL GREEN TRIBUNAL
PRINCIPAL BENCH, NEW DELHI
Original Application No. 364/2025
News Item Titled "Illegal commercial activities found at ropeway station
on forest land in Jaipur" appearing in The Times of India dated
17.07.2025
Date of hearing: 23.07.2025
CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE PRAKASH SHRIVASTAVA, CHAIRPERSON
HON'BLE DR. A. SENTHIL VEL, EXPERT MEMBER
ORDER
1. This original application is registered suo-motu on the basis of the news item titled Illegal commercial activities found at ropeway station on forest land in Jaipur" appearing in The Times of India dated 17.07.2025.
2. The matter relates to the illegal commercial operations reported at the ropeway station connecting Annapurna Temple and Vaishno Devi Temple in Jaipur, Rajasthan. The article highlights that during a field inspection conducted by the Assistant Conservator of Forests multiple violations were discovered on forest land that had been diverted for ropeway construction and operation. The article mentions that Fish spa and body massage shops are among several commercial establishments that were found operating in violation. The article states that though the ropeway was permitted on 0.8735 hectares of forest land under conditions laid down by the ministry of environment and climate change, the commercial operations, including fish spas, body massage centres, restaurants and zip cycle ride, extended far beyond this limit. The article further mentions that In a detailed report dated July 7, the Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) flagged 15 violations, including the use of open flame to cook food, use of halogen lights, disposal of plastic waste, construction of restaurants and fish spas without permission, , and 1 setting up of body massage parlours. Additionally, a zip line cycle ride was found to be operated in the forest area without obtaining any environmental or safety clearance. Moreover, the report noted the use of plastic cups, plates, and other disposables in the forest area, which is prohibited under forest norms.
3. The above matter indicates violation of the provisions of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, and Rajasthan Forest Act, 1953.
4. The news item raises substantial issue relating to compliance of the environmental norms and implementation of the provisions of scheduled enactment.
5. Power of the Tribunal to take up the matter suo-motu has been recognized by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in the matter of "Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai vs. Ankita Sinha & Ors." reported in 2021 SCC Online SC 897.
6. Hence, we implead the following as respondents:
i. Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board, Through it's member Secretary Rajasthan Pollution Control Board, 4, Jhalana Institutional Area Jhalana Doongri, Jaipur (Rajasthan) Pin: 302004 ii. Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), Regional Office Kendriya Bhawan, 5th Floor, Sector "H" Aliganj, Lucknow - 226020 iii. District Collector, Jaipur Collectorate, Jaipur iv. Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF), Rajasthan Van Bhawan, Vaniki Path, Jaipur-302005, Rajasthan 2
7. Issue notice to the above respondents for filing their response/reply by way of affidavit before the Bhopal Zonal Bench of the Tribunal at least one week before the next date of hearing. If any respondent directly files the reply without routing it through his advocate then the said respondent will remain virtually present to assist the Tribunal.
8. Since the matter relates to the Central Zonal Bench, Bhopal, therefore, OA is transferred to the Central Zonal Bench. Therefore, the original record of this OA be transferred to the Central Zonal Bench, Bhopal for further action.
9. List before Central Zonal Bench at Bhopal on 16.09.2025.
Prakash Shrivastava, CP Dr. A. Senthil Vel, EM July 23, 2025 Original Application No. 364/2025 A 3