Two Shimla resorts booked for encroaching forest land

The Himachal Pradesh government has initiated action against two private tourist resorts for encroaching upon forest land in Mahasu peak area, a tourist spot on the outskirts of Shimla, a court heard Wednesday.

The deputy commissioner of Shimla, in a report placed before a Himachal Pradesh High Court division bench of Chief Justice Mansoor Ahmad Mir and Justice Tarlok Singh Chauhan, said Mahasu Peak Resorts and Kufri Fun Campus Adventure Park have encroached upon forest land.

"Encroachment cases have been filed against all the encroachers who have created permanent structures, whereas the temporary structures have been removed. Coercive steps were taken to stop illegal adventure activities to prevent any untoward incidence in the future," he said.

The court directed both the resorts and the local committee to file their replies within four weeks and listed the matter for next hearing Dec 24.

The high court, while taking suo motu cognizance of a letter from tour operator Infinity Adventure Tourism, had issued notice to the state.