NGT voices concern over illegal groundwater extractions by hotels

collected by :Frank Ithan

NGT voices concern over illegal groundwater extractions by hotels"The illegal drawing of groundwater by hotels for their commercial interest is not something which can be permitted if environment has to be protected and scarce resources are to be saved," an NGT bench said. The NGT had earlier issued notices to three five-star hotels, Central Ground Water Authority, Delhi Jal Board, New Delhi Municipal Council, Central Pollution Control Board. (Express Photo by Tashi Tobgyal/File)The National Green Tribunal has said that illegal withdrawal of groundwater by hotels cannot be permitted if environment has to be protected and scarce resources saved for future generations. The tribunal was hearing a plea filed by city resident Shailesh Singh seeking directions to immediately stop withdrawal of groundwater by five-star hotels without permission. The tribunal had earlier issued notices to three five-star hotels, Central Ground Water Authority, Delhi Jal Board, New Delhi Municipal Council, Central Pollution Control Board.

Green Tribunal voices concern over illegal groundwater extractions by hotels

Green Tribunal voices concern over illegal groundwater extractions by hotelsGreen Tribunal voices concern over illegal groundwater extractions by hotelsNew Delhi, Jul 22 (PTI) The National Green Tribunal has said that illegal withdrawal of groundwater by hotels cannot be permitted if environment has to be protected and scarce resources saved for future generations. The tribunal was hearing a plea filed by city resident Shailesh Singh seeking directions to immediately stop withdrawal of groundwater by five star hotels without permission. The tribunal had earlier issued notices to three five-star hotels, Central Ground Water Authority, Delhi Jal Board, New Delhi Municipal Council, Central Pollution Control Board. Singh had alleged that various five-star hotels including Hotel Taj Palace, The Leela Palace, Hotel Jaypee Vasant Continental were using several lakh litres of ground water and the sources of water are not visible in their premises. Earlier, the tribunal had imposed a fine of Rs 7.5 lakh on one of the hotels after it found unsatisfactory rain water harvesting systems in their premises.

Leave the little guy be: Shut illegal hotels and let ordinary Airbnb hosts earn extra cash

according to Stringer, doing the bidding of an entrenched industry that's fending off a disruptor, could care less about such distinctions. Nor could councilmembers who have pocketed thousands of contributions from the hotel industry. Airbnb, too, helped make its bed by refusing to take simple steps to rein in professional violators — like cap the number of days per year any full apartment can be listed.