Shimla Races Against Time to Map Forest Land Amid Supreme Court Push and Local Concerns

In a bid to meet urgent Supreme Court directives, the Shimla district administration has stepped up efforts to clarify forest land boundaries—a move that could reshape development, agriculture, and conservation in Himachal Pradesh.

During a recent video conference, Deputy Commissioner Shimla instructed all Divisional Forest Officers (DFOs) to submit updated reports on forest land within a week. The meeting, which included Sub-Divisional Magistrates (SDMs), focused on accelerating forest land demarcation and ensuring compliance with the Supreme Court’s ongoing hearings in Writ Petition (Civil) No. 1164 of 2023. The petition challenges the Forest (Conservation) Amendment Act, 2023, and has prompted the Court to demand clear identification and transfer of forest land from the Revenue Department to the Forest Department.

To meet these expectations, SDMs have been asked to prepare localized action plans. The Deputy Commissioner emphasized that close coordination between forest and revenue officials is key to moving forward. However, the meeting also flagged a familiar hurdle—staff shortages that could slow implementation.

The Supreme Court has already directed states to form expert committees under the Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Rules, 2023, to scientifically identify forest and forest-like areas. Delays, the Court warned, could lead to accountability at the highest administrative levels.

This push for clarity carries weighty implications for Himachal Pradesh. Disputes over forest land have long stalled road construction, housing projects, and tourism infrastructure. In apple-growing regions, farmers have voiced frustration over restrictions tied to forest classifications, making the demarcation process both sensitive and urgent.

As development pressures mount, the district’s efforts to map forest boundaries could play a pivotal role in striking a balance between ecological preservation and economic progress—ensuring that growth in the hill state doesn’t come at the cost of its green legacy.