The Himachal Pradesh High Court has told the state government to clear all encroachments from forest land across the state — not just in some selected areas. The court made it clear that even fruit-bearing trees planted illegally must be removed from government and forest lands.
The order was passed by a division bench of Justices Vivek Thakur and Bipin C Negi. This came after the Advocate General submitted a report from the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests. The report said 2,456 apple and other fruit trees had already been cut down in Chaithla village, along with 713 in Rohru and 490 in Kotgarh forest divisions.
But the court pointed out that the report mentioned only these areas, while the issue of encroachments is spread across Himachal Pradesh. "It is again clarified that the encroachments from the government/forest lands, including the fruit-bearing trees, has to be undertaken pan Himachal Pradesh and not limited to the areas mentioned in the instructions," the court said.
The court has asked the government to submit a fresh status report and a compliance affidavit before the next hearing.
The court also ordered the authorities concerned to file a compliance affidavit regarding the January 8, 2025 judgment that gave detailed directions on the issue.
The order has come at a time when there’s growing concern in the apple belt about the cutting of fruit-laden trees.
Reacting on the ongoing issue, former CM Shanta Kumar said while the encroachments must be cleared, the officers who allowed these orchards to come up over decades should also be held responsible. “These orchards have not come up overnight but grew over decades and the authorities concerned are accountable for not taking cognizance of these encroachments,” he said.
Public Interest Litigations seeking to curb encroachments on forest lands were initiated about a decade ago. The drive to remove these encroachments gained momentum following the court order.
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