Rape of the rock: HP to get its money back, with a rider

The money will be used only through an autonomous society headed by the Principal Secretary (Forests) with the state’s principal conservator of forests also on board.

The Indian Express first reported the defacement of the rocks on the 56-km stretch of national highway between Manali and Rohtang in its “Rape of the Rock” series, which triggered protests from environmentalists, and finally led to the SC’s intervention.

The apex court consequently imposed fines of Rs 2 lakh each on two soft drink majors — Pepsi and Coca Cola — and one lakh each on other organisations which had painted advertisements on the rocks. The state government was also not spared. The amount deposited by the state government and erring companies has since been lying unutilised with the SC.

Last year, the court asked the state government to draw up a forest and environmental conservation project for utilising the money. The project was submitted to the court last

December.

In its latest communication to the government, the CEC said: “Funds to the extent of 70 per cent along with the interest thereon may be utilised during the initial three to four years for execution of different approved activities and the remaining 30 per cent along with interest may be kept as the corpus of the society in the form of fixed deposits. The income on the interest on the FD may be utilised in perpetuity for carrying out contingency activities and for maintenance of assets.” There will also be annual auditing of the funds by CAG and all ongoing work will also be monitored.

After The Indian Express reports, the SC had also set up a committee to monitor “commercial vandalism” by companies. The court got the advertisements removed and imposed a ban on defacing of rocks with advertisements.