Shimla, July 24 -- The Himachal Pradesh High Court has stayed resolution by the Powari gram panchayat regarding permanently banning the Kinnaur Kailash Yatra. A bench of justice Jyotsna Rewal Dua directed the administration to ensure the smooth conduct of the pilgrimage while adhering to the law and safety protocols. The court restrained the Powari Gram Panchayat from causing any interference in running of Yatra, 2026, while categorically adding: "It shall be the responsibility of district administration to ensure smooth running of Kinner Kailash Yatra, 2026." The Kinnaur Kailash, also known as Kinnar Kailash, is the fourth most important peak among the group of five separate peaks in the Himalayas in separate locations collectively known as the Panch Kailash or "Five Kailashas". Kinnaur Kailash peak has a height of 6,050m. The trek typically takes five to six days to complete, covering a distance of approximately 32km. The trek is considered moderate to difficult, with varying altitudes and challenging terrain. The high court, while hearing a plea filed by Shree Parkashankras Kinnaur Kailash Yatra Sachalan Committee along with Adventure Tour Operators Association, in its July 22 order said that the decision for organising the yatra has been taken by the state government in the high-level committee pursuant to which, Kinner Kailash Yatra, 2026 has been running w.e.f. July 1. The plea read that Powari gram sabha passed resolution for stopping Kinner Kailash Yatra for ever with immediate effect and ordered the Shree Parkashankras Kinnaur Kailash Yatra Sachalan Committee to be dissolved, considering the majority view. It further read that petitioners' grievance is to the resolution dated July 13, of gram panchayat, Powari, permanently prohibiting Kinner Kailash Yatra. Through the resolution, the said gram panchayat also purportedly dissolved Shree Parkashankras Kinnaur Kailash Yatra Sachalan Committee, the plea read. The petitioner pointed out that as per impugned resolution, 62 persons present during special meeting had signed an application in favour of continuation of Kinner Kailash Yatra whereas the remaining 112 persons opposed running of Kinner Kailash Yatra "Kinner Kailash Yatra, which statedly is being organised annually since time immemorial and followed as per schedule, by pilgrims of different regions and religions throughout the country, cannot be ordered to be stopped by Powari Gram Panchayat," the order read. "It is to run till July 30, 2026 subject to further extension to be considered by the Competent Administrative Authorities." The high court held that the gram panchayat has no competence in law to order dissolution of duly registered co-operative societies....