Shimla, (Himachal Pradesh) [India], January 11 (Diary Times): The Himachal Pradesh government has banned tree cutting statewide to promote environmental protection. The forest department has suspended all tree-felling permits as part of this campaign. This measure protects the state’s rich greenery and increases illicit logging enforcement.

The forest department used to allow rural tree cutting for construction and fuel with forest guard permissions. Following a recent state government decision with Cabinet approval, all tree species except Safoda, Poplar, and Bamboo are now protected and cannot be felled. This is the government’s effort to preserve the state’s natural resources.

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The forest department has increased monitoring of tree cutting and timber trafficking to enforce the ban. A team of forest guards and other professionals will increase surveillance in high-risk regions. Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) Sameer Rastogi stressed that violating these restrictions will result in legal action, reaffirming the government’s dedication to forest preservation.

“We have fully suspended the issuance of tree cutting permits,” Sameer Rastogi said. “Anyone caught cutting trees or transporting green wood without proper authorization will face stringent action.” He stressed that the forest department will follow the government’s orders and stop illegal activity to protect the state’s forest resources.

Besides the tree cutting restriction, the state administration has prioritized reforestation, planting trees on desolate hills to increase green cover. Himachal Pradesh’s forest department is committed to protecting its natural resources and promoting environmental sustainability.

Environmentalists praised the prohibition as a conservation measure, but rural populations worried about the lack of wood for daily necessities. Despite these worries, the administration insists that the program is necessary for the state’s ecological balance and long-term environmental health.

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