HC imposes strict restrictions on commercial activities around Renuka Lake, orders 100-metre buffer zone ahead of annual fair

Shimla, Nov 4

Himachal Pradesh High Court has imposed a series of stringent environmental safeguards for the forthcoming Renuka Ji Fair, directing the district administration to prohibit commercial activities within a 100-metre buffer zone around Renuka Ji Lake and Parshuram Tal to protect the ecologically fragile area and its wildlife.

The Division Bench comprising Chief Justice G.S. Sandhawalia and Justice Bipin C. Negi issued the directions while hearing a suo motu public interest litigation, Court on its own motion versus State of Himachal Pradesh, along with three connected petitions, on November 2.

The court directed that no commercial activity should be permitted within 100 metres of Renuka Ji Lake and Parshuram Tal, including along the Parikrama route. It observed that stalls installed around Parshuram Tal obstruct the view of the sacred water body and encroach upon its ecologically sensitive surroundings. All commercial activities must be confined to the designated Mela Ground.

The directions assume importance as the Renuka Ji Fair is scheduled to be held from November 19 to 24, 2026, attracting an estimated 10,000 visitors. The court expressed concern over the previous year’s arrangements, when large quantities of plastic waste were found scattered around Parshuram Tal and the lake area. Stray cattle were reportedly feeding on the rubbish, while photographs placed before the court also showed a dead animal that may have died after ingesting plastic waste.

Taking note of the shortcomings highlighted by the amicus curiae, the court directed the administration to arrange at least 100 temporary toilets to cater to the expected footfall. It also ordered that sanitation arrangements, including sewage disposal and garbage collection, be finalised well before the commencement of the fair.

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The court made vendors responsible for taking back the plastic waste generated through their commercial activities and directed the administration to frame appropriate guidelines to minimise the use and accumulation of plastic in the eco-fragile zone.

It further directed that no loudspeakers or amplified sound should be permitted within the limits of Renuka Ji Wildlife Sanctuary. The Forest Department and Police have been made responsible for enforcing the restrictions, while all cultural stages must be located outside the sanctuary. The Pollution Control Board has also been directed to undertake daily noise-level monitoring, particularly around the lakefront temples, where silence must be maintained.

The court ordered the constitution of a Joint Flying Squad to check the entry and sale of plastic at the fairground, with powers to issue challans to ensure compliance and prevent the burning of waste at the site.

Taking note of the sanitation failures reported earlier, the Bench directed the Renuka Ji Development Board to strictly monitor contractors responsible for cleaning toilets, including temporary facilities, and disposing of waste. Any carcasses found at the site must be removed within 48 hours. The Animal Husbandry Department and Gram Panchayats were also directed to ensure that stray cattle are removed from the Mela Ground and kept away from the fairground and lakefront.

The court further ordered that all stalls must be dismantled within three days after the conclusion of the fair. Shopkeepers will be required to furnish certificates confirming that they have cleaned the premises occupied by them.

In an important financial direction, the Bench ordered that at least five per cent of the proceeds received through tendering of commercial activities should be utilised to provide honorarium to NGO volunteers assisting in cleaning operations during the fair. The court observed that the burden of cleaning the mess created by commercial activities should not be left entirely to the Wildlife Department.

The Bench also expressed dismay over the prolonged failure of the authorities to remove three identified encroachments, comprising ashrams and shops constructed on government land within the sanctuary area. It noted that directions for removal had been issued as far back as February 21, 2011, but the concerned authorities had failed to complete the proceedings.

According to the demarcation report prepared in February 2025 by the Assistant Collector, First Grade, Dadhau, three such encroachments were identified. The Range Forest Officer (Wildlife), Renuka Ji, had subsequently initiated complaints before the Collector, Wildlife Division, Shimla. The court directed that the pending proceedings be completed at the earliest.

The court also directed that the enclosures housing three rescued young leopards at Renuka Ji be maintained according to the prescribed dimensions after the amicus curiae pointed out that the animals were being kept in cramped conditions due to a damaged cage. The court, however, declined to issue directions for their release, taking note of the justification furnished by the authorities. A blind female black bear, which was also shifted to Renuka Ji from the Tutikandi Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre, was stated to be unfit for release into the wild.

The Bench further directed that the suggestions for maintaining complete accounts of the Renuka Ji Development Board, duly audited annually by the Deputy Commissioner, should be implemented to ensure financial transparency.

The court’s directions followed examination of the affidavit filed by the Deputy Commissioner, Sirmaur, and photographs submitted in the proceedings. The affidavit had detailed sanitation arrangements, including the repair of 18 old toilets and the proposed installation of 80 temporary toilets during the fair.

However, the court found that the earlier arrangements had failed to prevent large-scale littering and plastic accumulation, particularly around Parshuram Tal. It emphasised the need for coordinated regulation of commercial permissions and environmental safeguards rather than leaving the arrangements to the discretion of individual authorities.

The matter has been listed for further hearing on December 15, 2026.