Indian state levies new 'eco tax' - 25/09/09

The government of an Indian state has introduced an eco tax at the entry of a popular hill station in order to fund green initiatives.

The Municipal Board of Mussoorie, in the northern state of Uttarkhand, will levy a tax of £1.29 for heavy vehicles and 38p for cars and jeeps. Motorcyclists will pay 0.06p.

Motorists will pay the levy at Kolhukhet, the entry to Mussoorie, whose history dates back to 1825.

Chairman of the Mussoorie Municipal Board, O P Uniyal, said: "The decision has been taken. The government will strictly endorse these taxes with immediate effect."

The tax levy will be utilised to preserve the town's environment, heritage and maintain sanitation and cleanliness.

The funds will also be used to encourage planting of trees, and creating awareness against the use of plastic among tourists during their stay in the colonial hill station.

A shooting lodge was built in Mussoorie in 1825 by Captain Young, a British military officer. The town is believed to get its is name from the 'mansoor' shrub which is indigenous to the region, and is often referred to as "Mansoori" by the locals.

Indian state levies new 'eco tax' - 25/09/09

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