Supreme Court Steps In to Save Himri’s Forests from Rampant Tree Felling
In a major win for environmental conservation, the Supreme Court has issued a stay order halting the felling of 875 trees along the Himri-Nallah road in Shimla Gramin constituency. The decision came after a plea by Vijayendra Pal Singh, a resident of Himri village, who raised alarm over unchecked deforestation and alleged collusion between forest officials and a powerful forest-mining mafia.
The court’s intervention follows disturbing revelations that over 17 kilometers of roads have been illegally carved through protected forest areas, with authorities allegedly turning a blind eye to repeated complaints from villagers. These unauthorized roads have reportedly become conduits for illegal timber smuggling and mining, threatening the ecological balance of the region.
The petitioners clarified that they are not against rural connectivity but oppose the unnecessary destruction of forest cover. They proposed alternative road alignments that would reduce both the cost and the number of trees cut—by over 80%.
Retired Major General Atul Kaushik, who has been actively monitoring the situation, welcomed the court’s decision. His NGO, Pahari Samaj Paryavarni Kawach, plans to join the legal battle to strengthen efforts against environmental violations.
This isn’t the first time Himri’s forests have faced threats. Previous reports of illegal maple tree felling and questionable road construction practices have gone largely unaddressed, despite raids and complaints to the vigilance department.
The Supreme Court’s stay order is being hailed as a crucial step toward protecting Himachal’s fragile forest ecosystems and ensuring accountability in development projects. For the residents of Himri and surrounding villages, it’s a hopeful sign that their voices—and their forests—are finally being heard.
