India's Supreme Court has imposed its highest-ever fine for ecological damage on the state of Himachal Pradesh for allowing advertisements to damage spectacular Himalayan scenery.

The court levied a fine of 1bn rupees ($20m: �13m) on the state for permitting rocks to be defaced by adverts for Pepsi and Coca Cola and local firms, the Times of India reported.

The court also acted to curb the spread of the ads by issuing a notice to the southern state of Karnataka.

Karnataka is "next on the line" because of rock paintings near the city of Bangalore, the panel of three judges reportedly said.

More fines to come

The judges gave the Ministry of Environment and Forests three days to file an affadavit outlining other examples of "vandalism", the paper said.

It is unfortunate that such largescale vandalism has been taking place

Supreme Court

They also asked India's solicitor general to work out appropriate fines for Coca Cola, Pepsi and two local firms whose products were advertised in Himachal Pradesh.

The judges said the court should create a fund worth $100m to punish the wrongdoers and put right the damage in Himachal Pradesh.

The advertisements are spread along more than 50 kilometres of highway in the Manali-Rohtang pass, destroying mosses which support a sensitive eco-system.

Cleaning off the paint is thought likely to cause further damage to the rocks and mosses.

The vourt levied the huge fine based on a report from a committee set up to investigate the issue.

'Locked-up thinking'

The judges had harsh words for local officials who allowed the adverts to be painted.

"It is unfortunate that such largescale vandalism has been taking place with state governments taking no action," they said.

"It seems with regard to environment all the thinking has to be done by the Supreme Court and all others have locked up their thinking."

The court issued notices to six firms accused of defacing rocks in Karnataka with advertising - ACC, Koramandal King, Rasna, Fertiliser and Chemical Travancore, Alpine and Indotech.

India's solicitor general will on Thursday report his views on how much Coca Cola, Pepsi and two other firms whose products were advertised in Himachal Pradesh should be fined.