By Sunil Sonker
Mussoorie, 22 May: Once again, an incident involving illegal dumping and administrative negligence has come to light on the Camel’s Back Road here. Late last night, a section of the safety railing—located approximately 100 metres beyond Bahuguna Park on Camel’s Back Road, overlooking a ravine situated below the Radha Swami Satsang Centre—was damaged by a loader vehicle that was illegally dumping debris down the hillside. Following the incident, an atmosphere of grave concern regarding safety prevails in the area. According to local residents, the break in the railing has left that section of the road completely exposed and extremely hazardous.
A large numbers of tourists and local citizens visit this spot every morning and evening for walks. Consequently, a major accident could occur at any moment, potentially resulting in someone falling into the deep gorge and sustaining severe injuries. In the wake of the incident, local citizens have raised questions regarding the functioning of the Forest Department, the Mussoorie-Dehradun Development Authority (MDDA), and the Mussoorie administration. Residents allege that the environment in Mussoorie is being openly exploited, yet the concerned departments remain wilfully blind to the situation. It has been alleged that debris and waste are being continuously dumped along the roadside on Camel’s Back Road and in surrounding areas, leading to the destruction of lush green vegetation and a degradation of the region’s natural beauty.
Local citizens stated that Mussoorie is gradually losing its unique identity due to the mounting pressure of concrete development and rampant illegal activities. Debris is being dumped in the hills and ecologically sensitive zones in blatant disregard of regulations, thereby increasing the risks of landslides and other environmental hazards. They further alleged that the concerned departments are failing to take timely action, which is effectively encouraging and facilitating these illegal activities.
The public has demanded that the administration immediately repair the damaged railing and ensure the safety of the area. Furthermore, the footage from the CCTV cameras installed two years ago should be examined to identify the offending vehicles and individuals involved, and strict action should be taken against them.
Local environmental enthusiasts warn that if concrete measures are not taken in a timely manner to preserve Mussoorie’s natural character and protect its environment, the town could face a severe ecological crisis in the coming years. They have demanded that the administration immediately put an end to illegal dumping, the disposal of debris, and the exploitation of the hills.
