In an application filed before the Western Zone Bench of the National Green Tribunal to seek directions against respondents 1 to 4 to reduce plying of horses in Matheran for preventing deterioration and to suggest an alternative to provide eco-friendly transportation, a Division Bench of Justice Dinesh Kumar Singh and Dr. Sujit Kumar Bajpayee (Expert Member) took note of a report filed by the joint committee and directed Matheran Hill Station Municipal Council to appear on the next date.
The applicants submitted that Matheran, a hill station in Maharashtra, is part of an Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) declared by the Government in 2003. It was mentioned that Matheran has experienced significant environmental degradation due to excessive use of horses for tourism and goods transport. The application highlighted that 460 horses and 200 ponies were operated daily, resulting in more than 3 tonnes of horse manure being disposed of across the valley and, in turn, causing pollution of air, water, and land.
Sthanik Ashwal Sanghatana (respondent 5), Mulvasi Ashwapal Sanghtna (respondent 6), and Dasturi Ashwapal Kalyankari Samajik Sanstha (respondent 7) submitted that they had received a copy of the joint committee report, and the Tribunal allowed them two weeks’ time to file their reply.
The Tribunal noted that, despite sufficient service, no one had appeared to represent Matheran Hill Station Municipal Council (respondent 3) and stated that it was a necessary party, meaning its response was essential to the matter. The Tribunal directed the Registrar to write to the Chief Officer of the Matheran Hill Station Municipal Council to ensure their presence in Court on the next date, together with their reply. In case of failure, the Court stated that it would direct the personal appearance of the officer concerned.
The Tribunal perused the report submitted by the joint committee and found that the air quality assessment at the site in question was conducted during the pre-monsoon, monsoon, and post-monsoon phases. The assessment revealed that, due to emissions from manure and dust from unpaved roads, PM10 and PM2.5 levels exceeded the CPCB’s standards. The report highlighted that Matheran’s air pollution was not industrial, but rather a unique challenge of a vehicle-free yet horse-reliant ecosystem.
With respect to water pollution, the Court found that the samples were collected from five sites and that the counts exceeded the drinking water norms. It was said that the presence of E. coli confirmed faecal contamination, almost certainly from horse dung. It was also noted that the collected samples contained heavy metals.
Regarding soil contamination, the Court recorded that the monsoon soil quality assessment demonstrated that horse activity in Matheran posed the highest environmental and public health risk during the rainy season. It was further noted that faecal bacteria and Salmonella were also widely detected in soils.
Taking note of the final expert’s conclusion, the Court put up the matter for consideration on 24-03-2026.
Appearances:
For Applicants – Mr. Tushar Kumar
For Respondents – Mr. Aniruddha Kulkarni, Mr. Pushkal Mishra, Ms. Manasi Joshi, Ms. Deepali Bagla
