Himachal Pradesh’s Revenue, Horticulture, and Tribal Development Minister Jagat Singh Negi announced on Friday that the state government will move the Supreme Court against a High Court order prompting widespread felling of fruit-bearing and green trees on encroached forest lands.
Negi described the green felling as “environmentally disastrous” and at odds with core principles of ecological conservation.
“Green Felling” Versus Encroachment Removal
While the government is bound to enforce the court’s eviction of illegal settlements, Negi insisted there is no justification for cutting down decades-old orchards and mature trees.
“Nowhere in the country is green felling permitted. Eviction of illegal encroachments is being carried out, but cutting decades-old fruit-bearing trees is not justified.”
He warned that this first-of-its-kind mass removal of healthy trees not only destroys valuable green assets but also risks damaging the fragile Himalayan environment.
Environmental Risks & Judicial Appeal
The minister cautioned that clear-cutting slopes could trigger serious consequences—soil erosion, flooding, and downstream devastation, especially as the state braces for heavy monsoons, cloudbursts, and flash floods.
“There are trees over 50 to 60 years old being cut down. Be it fruit-bearing or otherwise, a tree is a tree. We are following the court’s eviction orders, but mass tree felling is a first-of-its-kind action and a matter of grave concern.”
Negi urged the judiciary to distinguish between the lawful eviction of trespassers and the preservation of standing green cover. He also called on the Centre to develop a balanced policy that safeguards the environment while removing illegal encroachments.
Monsoon Restoration Efforts Underway
Despite recent havoc, Negi reported that restoration work across Himachal Pradesh is progressing rapidly:
National Highways: All major routes, including the Manali Highway and NH-707, have reopened.
Link Roads: Approximately 250 remain blocked by landslides; clearance operations are ongoing.
Power Supply: Restored to 81 electricity schemes, up from 73 the previous day.
Drinking Water: Only 61 schemes remain disrupted, down from over 700 a week ago.
Negi also provided a grim toll from the floods and landslides since June 20: 65 lives lost to floods and cloudbursts, 45 deaths in road accidents, and 23,000 livestock fatalities. Structural damage includes 493 fully destroyed homes, 1,100 partially damaged dwellings, 306 shops, 81 labor sheds, and over 1,300 cattle shelters. More than 200 schools suffered damage, with some buildings razed; “Temporary arrangements have been made to continue classes in makeshift facilities,” he added.
Probing Pilgrim Death & Porter Exploitation
In a separate move, Negi ordered a judicial inquiry into the death of a Chandigarh youth during the Shrikhand Mahadev pilgrimage in Kullu district. An SDM-level probe will examine allegations of tourist exploitation by porters who reportedly charged ₹20,000, a sum Negi has directed to be refunded to the bereaved family. He questioned the absence of any administration or rescue personnel along the critical trek, stressing that timely evacuation and medical aid are the government’s responsibility.
By challenging the High Court’s tree-felling directive in the Supreme Court, Himachal Pradesh aims to protect its vulnerable ecosystems while fulfilling its legal obligation to remove unlawful encroachments.
Read More: Supreme Court, Delhi High Court, States High Court, International
