Timber Tsunami: Himachal’s Forest Crisis Reaches Supreme Court
For years, the Himachal Pradesh government has echoed the slogan: “Forests are the protectors of Mother Earth—don’t destroy them in vain.” But today, that very promise is being drowned—quite literally—as hundreds of tons of timber are seen floating down rivers and valleys, raising alarm bells all the way to the Supreme Court.
The court has now issued notices to both the Centre and the Himachal government, expressing concern over the massive loss of valuable forest resources. This isn’t the first time the apex court has warned Himachal. Just last month, it cautioned that if things continue this way, the state might one day vanish from the map.
Regardless of which party has held power, illegal logging and forest destruction have remained persistent issues. The big question now is: Where is all this timber coming from? Are trees being ruthlessly chopped down, or is this wood from naturally fallen trees left unattended in the forests?
Flashback to 2023: Timber Flood in Thunag
The scars of the 2023 disaster are still fresh. In Thunag, Mandi district, locals watched in shock as logs flooded the market area following a cloudburst. Former minister Kaul Singh Thakur demanded a CBI investigation, alleging that during the previous BJP government’s tenure, roads were built in rural areas without proper permissions—leading to indiscriminate tree felling.
The floodwaters carried these logs downstream, and the destruction was visible. Congress leaders, including Pratibha Singh and opposition leader Jairam Thakur, visited the site to assess the damage.
2025: Timber Tsunami at Pandoh Dam
Fast forward to June this year—cloudbursts in Kullu triggered another wave of destruction. Pandoh Dam was flooded with floating timber, sparking viral discussions online, even dubbed the “Pushpa-style” timber rush. Congress MLA Kuldeep Rathore called for an investigation, while Forest Corporation head Kehar Singh Khachi insisted the wood wasn’t from illegal logging.
A preliminary forest department report backed this claim, stating the timber was firewood from cloudburst-hit areas, not illegally felled trees. Still, the damage was extensive—over 20,000 hectares of forest land affected, including parts of the Great Himalayan National Park.
Environmentalists and Legal Experts Speak Out
Veteran environmentalist Kulbhushan Upmanyu, who has long campaigned under the Himalaya Niti Abhiyan, says Himachal has faced three consecutive years of monsoon disasters. He blames unchecked hydropower projects, reckless deforestation, and unscientific dumping of debris from road construction.
Senior advocate Pankaj Chauhan welcomed the Supreme Court’s intervention, calling it timely and necessary. He cited past cases, including the illegal felling of 416 trees in Shimla’s Koti forest range, which only saw justice after court action.
CID Investigation Underway—But Questions Remain
The state government has handed over the Pandoh Dam timber case to the CID, though no official findings have been released yet. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has reiterated his commitment to protecting Himachal’s forests. But with two months passed since the investigation was announced, critics, including BJP spokesperson Karan Nanda, are demanding a swift and impartial probe.
Even Congress MLAs have raised concerns, suggesting that forest mafias are thriving under the current administration.
