Himachal Pradesh’s Revenue, Horticulture, and Tribal Development Minister, Jagat Singh Negi, said on Friday that the state government will approach the Supreme Court against a High Court order that has resulted in the mass cutting of fruit-bearing trees on encroached forest land.
Negi termed the tree felling "environmentally disastrous," and added “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.”
Negi further stated that the state will file a petition in the Supreme Court to stop the unnecessary loss of green cover. While the state is following the High Court’s orders, Negi warned that removing large apple orchards and mature trees could lead to serious environmental damage, especially with monsoons and cloudbursts already causing havoc.
“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,” he said.
“A tree is a tree—whether fruit-bearing or not. What’s happening here is a first, and it's deeply worrying,” he added.
Negi cautioned that cutting so many trees can lead to soil erosion, landslides, flooding, and other destruction in the downstream regions. He appealed to the judiciary to differentiate between illegal possession and the ecological value of trees, and urged the Centre to structure a balanced policy that allows the removal of encroachments without hurting the environment.
The minister added that things are slowly getting back to normal. Restoration work has intensified across the state after the monsoon wreaked havoc in the state.
"All national highways have been reopened, including the Manali Highway and NH-707, which was blocked yesterday. Around 250 link roads are still blocked due to landslides and are being restored," he said.
“Power and water supply are also improving. Out of 81 affected power schemes, most are now functional, up from 73 yesterday. Water supply is back in most places, with only 61 schemes still disrupted, compared to over 700 last week,” he shared.
So far, 65 people have died due to floods and cloudbursts and 45 in road accidents since June 20. Over 23,000 livestock have perished. Nearly, 493 houses were fully destroyed, and 1,100 partially damaged. As many as 306 shops, 81 labour sheds, and more than 1,300 cattle shelters were also destroyed. More than 200 schools have also been affected, some completely damaged.
"Temporary arrangements have been made to continue classes in makeshift facilities," he added. Negi has also ordered a full inquiry into the death of a youth from Chandigarh during the Shrikhand Mahadev Yatra in Kullu district.
He expressed concern over reports that porters charged Rs 20,000 from the family of the deceased. An SDM-level probe has been ordered, and the porters have been told to refund the amount.
Negi also questioned why there were no rescue or medical teams stationed along the difficult stretch of the yatra route. He said it is the administration’s duty to ensure timely help for injured or stranded pilgrims.
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