Himachal Opens Door to Managed Felling of Dried Chir Pines

In a significant policy shift, the Himachal Pradesh government has decided to allow the controlled felling of dried Chir pine trees, a move officials say will improve forest health, reduce fire risks, and generate revenue for the state.

For decades, the removal of Chir pines—even those long dried up—was banned under the Himachal Pradesh Land Preservation Act, 1978. But the new amendments to Sections 4 and 7 now permit their cutting under strict conditions as part of a 10-year programme. Forest officials believe this will help clear thousands of trees damaged by fires, pests, and diseases, which otherwise stand as fuel for recurring summer blazes.

The government has set clear boundaries: no more than 500 dried Chir pines can be felled per forest division annually, and each site must be physically verified by senior forest officers to confirm the trees are genuinely dead or damaged. Municipal areas remain excluded, with separate rules governing tree cutting there.

Officials emphasize that this is not a blanket permission but a regulated mechanism designed to balance ecological protection with practical forest management. “Controlled removal will reduce fire hazards and create space for natural regeneration,” a forest department source explained.

The decision also carries economic weight. By tapping into the timber value of dried trees, the state hopes to generate additional revenue while ensuring that forests remain healthier and safer. For communities living near Chir pine forests, the move could mean fewer summer fires and better-managed green spaces—an attempt to harmonize livelihood, safety, and conservation.