SHIMLA:  The High Court of Himachal Pradesh has directed Director Tourism to furnish details of hotels in Shimla and its peripheries. The Court also directed AGM. SJPNL and other respondent expert to furnish suggestions with regard to utilization of rain water, natural sources and rejuvenating the old water bodies in Himachal Pradesh before the next date of hearing on July 31.

The Division Bench comprising Mr Justice Tarlok Singh Chauhan and Mr Justice Chander Bhusan Barowalia issued these directions in connection with the civil petition to the respondents here on Wednesday.

“Having heard the learned counsel for the parties, we are of the considered view that the Tourism Department needs to be impleaded as party and certain endeavours are required to be made at the level of all the stake holders to find a workable solution for the distribution of water, court observed.

The court directed the Tourism Department to furnish the details of the hotels registered with it up to 31.5.2022, which falls within municipal limits and periphery of Shimla, before the next date of hearing.  

The Court directed Mr. Anil Jaswal, AGM, SJPNL, who was present in person to furnish the proposal and whereas respondent No.7 is also expert on the subject shall also furnish suggestions with regard to utilization of rain water, natural sources and rejuvenating the old water bodies in State of Himachal Pradesh before the next date of hearing.

“Apart from above, we are also of the view that certain areas adjoining to Shimla where adequate storage capacity - man made or constructed - need to be identified so that during the period of shortage of water, the authorities and citizens can fall back of such sources for daily needs and even for the commercial needs”, the bench observed.

The court directed the concerned authority should file  an affidavit to this effect on or before the next date of hearing. The case is listed on 31.8.2022.