JUDGMENT

B. P. JEEVAN REDDY, J. - Leave granted. Heard counsel for the parties.

2. These appeals arise from a judgment of the Himachal Pradesh High Court disposing of eight writ petitions together.

3. Katha is a necessary ingredient in pan and pan masalas. Katha is derived from the khair tree. The central portion of the tree is used for this purpose. These trees are found in considerable number in the State of Himachal Pradesh. They are also found in other States but it appears that one after the other, various States have banned the cutting of khair trees, with the result that those intending to manufacture katha have been flocking to Himachal Pradesh over the last few years.

4. Till the year 1975, katha was being manufactured in the State of Himachal Pradesh only by bhattiwalas. Since the manufacture of katha requires extremely cold conditions, it is stated, the manufacture of katha was being undertaken in bhatties only during the winter season. In the year 1975, however, a mechanised unit was established in the State by Shankar Trading Company for the manufacture of katha. The manufacture of katha can go on round the year in a mechanised unit. The mechanised unit consumes far lar