Illegal Encroachments Eating Into a Small but Alarming Portion of Himachal’s Forests, Govt Tells NGT

The Himachal Pradesh government has informed the National Green Tribunal (NGT) that a small yet worrying portion of the state’s forest land has been lost to illegal encroachments across various categories of forests. According to official figures, about 0.11 per cent of Himachal’s total forest area is currently affected.

In an affidavit filed by the Forest Department on May 6, the government stated that 3,816.83 hectares of forest land had been found under illegal occupation up to March 2024. This includes protected forests, reserved and deemed forests, wildlife sanctuaries, protected areas and other forest land. Himachal Pradesh has a total forest cover of over 34 lakh hectares.

The state also reported some progress in tackling the issue. Encroachments have already been removed from approximately 2,573.58 hectares, while efforts are ongoing to clear the remaining land still under illegal occupation. The affidavit noted that eviction orders have been issued in hundreds of cases, though several matters remain tied up in appeals pending before appellate authorities and the Himachal Pradesh High Court.

The submission was made during suo-motu proceedings initiated by the NGT following reports suggesting that forest land equivalent to five times the geographical area of Delhi is under encroachment nationwide. Himachal Pradesh was among 29 states and Union Territories that submitted affidavits detailing the situation in their respective regions. The state’s response was filed through advocate Divyanshu Kumar Srivastava.

District-wise data revealed that Shimla has been the worst-hit district in Himachal Pradesh. Of its total forest cover of about 3.32 lakh hectares, nearly 1,840 hectares are under encroachment—accounting for almost half of the state’s total encroached forest land. Shimla also recorded the highest percentage loss at 0.55 per cent.

Kullu district emerged as the second most affected, with 815.06 hectares encroached upon out of a forest cover of 4.65 lakh hectares, translating to a loss of 0.17 per cent. Other districts also reported notable encroachments. Kangra recorded around 319 hectares of forest land under occupation, while Mandi reported encroachments on 263 hectares.

In Chamba, about 138 hectares of forest land were found encroached upon, while Sirmaur reported 166.58 hectares and Kinnaur 206.35 hectares under illegal occupation. Smaller but measurable encroachments were recorded in Lahaul and Spiti (48.13 hectares), Solan (9.13 hectares), Bilaspur (9.11 hectares), Hamirpur (2.31 hectares) and Una (0.37 hectares).

The figures highlight that while encroachment affects a relatively small percentage of Himachal’s vast forest area, it remains a persistent challenge—particularly in districts with high development pressure. Environmental observers note that continued monitoring, faster legal resolution and stronger enforcement will be crucial to protecting the state’s fragile forest ecosystems.