Submit status report on Kufri in 2 weeks: HC

Vijay Arora

Shimla, March 28

Expressing concern on the issue of deteriorating condition prevailing in the tourist spot Kufri near Shimla, the HP High Court today directed the state to file consolidated affidavit/status report within two weeks mentioning the steps taken by it for the development of this popular tourist destination.

The court further directed the Chief Secretary to convene a meeting of the senior officers of the state to discuss the suggestion given by the amicus curie in this matter and listed the matter for further hearing on April 18.

A division bench comprising Chief Justice Mansoor Ahmad Mir and Justice Tarlok Singh Chauhan passed these orders on a petition taken up suo moto by the court as a public interest litigation on a letter written to the Chief Justice by Rakesh Mehta, a resident of Kufri.

The petitioner has averred in the letter petition that Kufri is well known tourist destination and a large number of tourists visit this spot every year. A large amount of money from the public exchequer is being spent on the development of tourism activities in this area by the government through department of Tourism and Special Area Development Authority.

The petitioner has further alleged in the petition that the condition of the area has been deteriorating day by day. There are a large number of horses in the area. All the roads, paths and public places are always littered with hoarse dung. Most of these horses are being plied by minors and persons of Nepal origin. Despite the fact being in the knowledge of the district administration no concrete steps are being taken to restrict the number of these horses.

The petitioner has prayed in the petition that necessary directions may be issued to the district and police administration to check the menace.