Shimla, Nov. 5 -- The Himachal Pradesh high court has ordered a strict ban on setting up commercial stalls and tents within a 100-metre buffer zone of the Renuka Lake and Parshuram Tal during the upcoming Renuka Ji Fair, emphasising the need to protect the ecologically fragile Renuka Ji Wetland and Wildlife Sanctuary.

A division bench comprising chief justice GS Sandhawalia and justice Bipin C Negi issued the directions while hearing a bunch of petitions concerning environmental protection and regulatory arrangements in and around the Renuka Ji area. The fair is scheduled to be held between November 19 and 24.

"A no-commercial-activity buffer of less than 100 metres around the Renuka Lake and Parshuram Tal, be put in place along with th...