A Victory for the Hills: Supreme Court Protects Livelihoods and Orchards

In a landmark decision hailed as a triumph for small farmers, the Supreme Court has stepped in to protect apple orchards planted on disputed land in Himachal Pradesh. The ruling overturns sweeping High Court orders that had mandated the felling of fruit-bearing trees, a move locals feared would spell economic and ecological ruin.

Tekinder Panwar, a petitioner and former Deputy Mayor, expressed profound relief. “This judgment is a decisive victory for our marginal farmers,” he stated. The Court recognized that blindly cutting down these trees would devastate countless families who depend on them for survival.

The heart of the ruling emphasizes compassion and policy over punishment. The Supreme Court bench highlighted that the state must first have a clear, fair policy on land regularisation before such drastic actions are taken. They cautioned that indiscriminate tree felling would disproportionately hurt the most vulnerable—landless families and smallholders who were given these patches of land years ago to build a life.

“Livelihood considerations cannot be ignored,” the Court affirmed, underscoring the government’s duty to welfare.

Panwar explained that the Court accepted the core concerns raised by petitioners: the ecological damage of mass tree-cutting, the severe social and economic fallout, and the threat to thousands of livelihoods. He noted the particular irony of the original order, which was stayed during monsoon devastation—a season for planting, not destruction.

This intervention is expected to bring immediate relief to thousands of apple growers across the hill state. It also directs the state government to finally create a comprehensive policy for the regularisation or allotment of such land, aiming for a lasting solution.

The ruling sheds light on a broader issue: while forests are crucial, a significant portion of land under forest department control may not be suitable for conservation but is vital for agriculture. This decision paves the way for a more balanced approach that safeguards both the environment and the people who nurture it.