Alarming rise of illegal green felling in Himachal’s Banjar area
Over the past decade, the forests of Himachal Pradesh have witnessed a disturbing surge in illegal green felling, posing a serious threat to the environment and local communities. These forests, revered for their spiritual and ecological significance, are crucial for the sustenance of local communities and play a vital role in combating climate change.
The Himalayan forests have long been a sanctuary for sages and spiritual seekers, offering a serene environment for contemplation. For the local communities, these forests are not just a source of daily sustenance but also hold deep cultural and spiritual significance as the abode of forest deities. Beyond this, the forests provide essential ecosystem services to millions living in the North Indian plains, acting as a carbon sink and contributing to biodiversity conservation.
Despite the critical importance of these forests, Himachal Pradesh has seen an alarming increase in illegal green felling activities, often brought to the attention of the National Green Tribunal (NGT). Notable cases include the illegal felling of over 477 trees in Mauza Jungle Taradevi, Shimla during 2014-15, and the cutting of 895 Deodar trees in Ahlami beat, Chamba during 2013-14. Further incidents occurred in Bhalawag beat, Koti Forest Block, Shimla, where more than 416 trees were illegally felled between 2015-18. In 2022, the illegal felling of Khair trees in Rail beat, Dada Seeba forest range, Kangra district, was also reported. These incidents, often involving corruption among forest department and forest corporation officials, contractors, and businessmen, are deeply concerning.
The most recent incident involves the illegal felling of approximately 400 green trees in the Seraj forest division, as reported by The Tribune.
https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/himachal/mla-alleges-felling-of-400-trees-in-kullu-forest/.
This area falls under the Community Forest Rights (CFR) claimed by local communities under the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006. In response, the community is demanding inclusion in the salvage felling process managed by the Forest Corporation to ensure transparency and protect their forest resources.
The community proposes the following solutions:
- Formation of a joint committee comprising the Community Forest Right Management Committee (CFRMC)/FRC, Gram Panchayat, Forest Department, and Forest Corporation officials for regular monitoring of trees marked for salvage felling.
- Comprehensive monitoring and record-keeping, including photographic and video evidence at the beginning, midpoint, and end of the process, to prevent illegal activities.
- Mandatory verification and issuance of a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to ensure compliance and protect forest resources.
The local communities urge the government to take their suggestions seriously and involve them in any activities that disturb their community forests. This collaborative approach will help curb the growing trend of illegal green felling in Himachal Pradesh and foster democratic forest governance through local participation. Immediate action against the illegal felling in the Seraj Forest division and consideration of the community’s proposal under SDLC Banjar is imperative for long-term forest conservation. Further reports are awaited on the story.
For any correspondence, pls contact SAHARA NGO, Sharda Niwas, vill Khundan, Tehsil Banjar 175123
(Shri Rajender Chauhan 9219611138, Shri Hari Singh Thakur 8580435567)
