IN THE HIGH COURT OF HIMACHAL PRADESH, SHIMLA CWP No.12282 of 2026 Decided on: 22.07.2026 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Vikram Singh …..Petitioner Versus The Deputy Conservator of Forests and others. . .....Respondents ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Coram Ms. Justice Jyotsna Rewal Dua Whether approved for reporting?1 For the Petitioner: Mr. Amit Kumar Dhumal and Ms. Parul Negi, Advocates. For the Respondents: Mr. Anup Rattan, Advocate General with Mr. L.N.Sharma, Additional Advocate General. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Jyotsna Rewal Dua, Judge Notice. Mr. L.N.Sharma, learned Additional Advocate General, accepts service of notice on behalf of the respondents. Looking to the nature of grievance of the petitioner, pleadings, submissions made by learned counsel for the parties and the order being passed hereinafter, there is no necessity to call for reply from the 1Whether reporters of print and electronic media may be allowed to see the order? Yes. 2 respondents. The matter has accordingly been heard at this stage. 2. The case set up for the petitioner is that Eco- Shop at Kelwa Thatch, Wildlife Range Nohradhar was allotted to the petitioner on 28.05.2025 for a period of six months. After the period elapsed, the respondents again issued notice auctioning the aforesaid site on 06.04.2026. There being no bid for the auction and the proceedings did not result in any allotment. Vikram Singh Vs. Deputy Conservator of Frosts, Wildlife Division and Another2, instituted by the petitioner, seeking direction to conduct the auction for the Eco-Shop in question, was disposed of with direction to the State to abide by the undertaking extended by them as recorded in the judgment and for doing the needful by 15.06.2026 on completion of codal formalities. Pursuant to the above, the respondents issued auction notice on 04.06.2026. The auction was cancelled there being only one bidder for Rajgarh-Churdhar Track. The auction notice was issued again on 15.06.2026 for operation of Eco-Shops situated on Rajgarh-Churdhar 2 CWP No. 6781 of 2026 decided on 27.05.2026 3 Track under Nohradhar Wildlife Range. This auction notice included Eco-shop at Kelwa-Thatch in Wildlife Range Nohradhar. Petitioner emerged successful and the shop was allotted to him on 24.06.2026. 3. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that petitioner is running Eco-Shop at Kelwa-Thatch, after having been allotted the same on 24.06.2026; That the location where the aforesaid Eco-Shop is situated, is the same as was during previous allotment of the same Eco- shop to the petitioner. There is no change in the location. Petitioner’s grievance is to the show-cause notice dated 16.07.2026 issued by the Range Forest Officer, Wildlife Range Nohra-respondent No.3, alleging that the petitioner had not set up the Eco-Shop at Kelwa-Thatch, but has unauthorizedly and illegally established the Eco- Shop at location “Pav Ra Poush” on Nohradhar-Churdhar Range. As noticed above, this is disputed on facts by the petitioner. Be that as it may. 4. Presently, only a show-cause has been issued to the petitioner by respondent No.3 on 16.07.2026. It is for the petitioner to respond to the show-cause notice in accordance with law. Learned counsel for the petitioner 4 submits that since the petitioner had instituted this writ petition on 19.07.2026, therefore, response to the aforesaid notice within five days’ period as prescribed therein, could not be furnished by the petitioner. This writ petition, therefore, is disposed of with direction to respondent No.2/competent Authority, that in case petitioner furnishes his response to the show-cause notice dated 16.07.2026 (Annexure P-11) within five days from today, the same shall be considered on merits in accordance with law by verifying the response, if any, furnished by the petitioner, and appropriate order so passed in the matter be also conveyed to the petitioner. Pending miscellaneous application(s), if any, also to stand disposed of. Jyotsna Rewal Dua July 22, 2026 Judge R.Atal