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NGT Directs Himachal Pradesh to Implement Sustainable Guidelines for Kufri-Mahasu Peak
29 Oct
Summary
- NGT disposes of 2-year-old case on environmental degradation at Kufri-Mahasu Peak
- Directs HP to frame and implement guidelines for sustainable horse and eco-tourism management
- Fixes daily limits of 293 horses and 2,232 tourists to maintain ecological balance
On October 14, 2025, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in New Delhi disposed of a two-year-old case concerning environmental degradation caused by horse dung and unregulated tourist activity at the Kufri-Mahasu Peak trail in Shimla district, Himachal Pradesh. The tribunal has directed the state government to frame and implement appropriate guidelines for sustainable management of horses and eco-tourism in the area within the next three months.
The NGT accepted the findings of a joint committee, which had confirmed illegal expansion of horse parking areas into forest land, accumulation of horse dung leading to water contamination and health risks, and ecological imbalance causing a decline in snowfall and drying up of natural water sources. To address these issues, the tribunal has fixed that 293 horses will ply on the Kufri-Mahasu Peak trail each day based on the Cifuentes ecological methodology, and 2,232 tourists will visit the Mahasu Peak area to maintain ecological balance and trail stability.
The NGT's ruling marks an important step in addressing the long-standing environmental challenges at Kufri, a popular high-altitude tourist destination. By scientifically defining the carrying capacities for both horses and tourists, the tribunal has reinforced the principle of ecological sustainability in tourism management in the region.
