Now Reading: Himachal High Court halts anti-hail guns for one year in apple belt
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Himachal High Court halts anti-hail guns for one year in apple belt
The Himachal Pradesh High Court on Monday, 5 October, directed an immediate halt on the operation of anti-hail guns across the state for at least one year, observing that concerns from apple growers over excessive rainfall and damage to neighbouring orchards appear to stand substantiated. A Division Bench of Chief Justice G S Sandhawalia and Justice Bipin Chander Negi issued the directions on a suo motu PIL.
The court took note of an affidavit from the Director of Horticulture stating that heavy and prolonged rainfall was recorded when the hail-control system operated for over an hour. The bench ordered that two government-installed anti-hail guns at Deorighat and Bareonghat in the Jubbal-Kotkhai area of Shimla district must not be operated until further orders, and directed the state to prohibit privately owned anti-hail guns as well.
Dr Y S Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan, which is studying the guns' efficacy, was impleaded as a respondent, its study is expected to take another four years. The court has asked the state to file a response on whether halting the guns benefits surrounding areas. The matter is next listed for hearing on 8 December 2026.
Indian Opinion Analysis
Both The Indian Express and Hindustan Times provided neutral, straight reporting of the High Court's order, with no discernible slant. The Express led with the court's observation that concerns 'stand substantiated', while Hindustan Times added background on how the court took suo motu cognisance. Neither outlet questioned the science behind anti-hail guns or the court's reasoning. The key open question, as the court noted, is whether surrounding areas benefit after the guns are stopped, the state's response and the university study are due by 8 December 2026.
Coverage: 2 sources, 2 neutral
Sources (2): indianexpress.com (neutral report), hindustantimes.com (neutral report)
This brief was synthesised by AI from the 2 sources linked above, so one read covers every framing they carry. Methodology and corrections.
