NGT Seeks Reply From Matheran Council In Plea Over Environmental Damage From Horse Activity
Pranav B Prem
The National Green Tribunal, Western Zone Bench, Pune, comprising Justice Dinesh Kumar Singh (Judicial Member) and Dr. Sujit Kumar Bajpayee (Expert Member), directed the Matheran Hill Station Municipal Council to appear before it and file a reply in a matter concerning environmental degradation allegedly caused by excessive horse activity in the eco-sensitive hill station of Matheran.
The application sought directions against the authorities to reduce the plying of horses in Matheran and to explore eco-friendly alternatives for transport, alleging that the large number of horses used for tourism and goods transport was causing serious environmental deterioration. It was submitted that around 460 horses and 200 ponies were operating daily, leading to disposal of more than three tonnes of manure across the valley and contributing to pollution of air, water and soil.
During the hearing, the Tribunal took note of the report submitted by the joint committee. Counsel appearing for certain respondents, including local horse associations, sought time to file objections to the report, which was granted. However, no one appeared on behalf of the Matheran Hill Station Municipal Council despite service of notice. The Tribunal observed that the municipal council was a necessary party and its response was essential for proper adjudication. It therefore directed the Registrar to write to the Chief Officer of the council to ensure representation on the next date along with a reply, failing which personal appearance of the concerned officer would be directed.
The Tribunal examined the findings of the joint committee report, which indicated that air quality assessments conducted during pre-monsoon, monsoon and post-monsoon periods showed PM₁₀ and PM₂.₅ levels exceeding CPCB standards, with the primary causes being emissions from horse dung and dust from unpaved roads. The report noted that the pollution was not industrial in nature but stemmed from a vehicle-free yet horse-reliant ecosystem.
With respect to water quality, samples collected from five sites showed E. coli levels ranging from 5 to 100 CFU per 100 ml, violating drinking water norms. The presence of E. coli was attributed to faecal contamination, almost certainly from horse dung, and heavy metals were also detected in the samples. The Tribunal also noted the findings on soil contamination, where the monsoon season assessment indicated that equine activity posed the highest environmental and public health risk. Fecal indicator bacteria and Salmonella were widely detected in the soil samples.
Referring to the expert conclusions, the Tribunal recorded that equine activity at its present scale was environmentally unsustainable in the Matheran Eco-Sensitive Zone and that effective protection of air, water and soil required source-level interventions such as phased reduction of horse numbers, relocation of stables outside the ESZ, zoning of routes and continuous monitoring. The matter has been posted for further consideration on 24 March 2026.
Cause Title: Sunil Ramchandra Shinde & Anr. v. State of Maharashtra & Ors.
Case No: Original Application No. 210/2024(WZ)
Coram: Justice Dinesh Kumar Singh (Judicial Member) and Dr. Sujit Kumar Bajpayee (Expert Member)
